arbitrary
0 antonyms and opposites of arbitrary, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Based on personal choice or chance rather than any clear reason, rule, or system.
How to use arbitrary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin arbitrarius, "uncertain, subject to a judge's discretion", from arbiter, "judge".
Full origin of arbitrary →Frequently asked questions
What does “arbitrary” mean?
The word “arbitrary” means based on personal choice or chance rather than any clear reason, rule, or system. In plain terms, decided without a clear reason, or (in maths) simply "any given one".
How do you pronounce “arbitrary”?
“Arbitrary” is pronounced AH-bih-truh-ree (/ˈɑɹ.bɪˌtɹɛ(ə).ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “arbitrary” in a sentence?
Here is “arbitrary” used in a sentence: “The rule felt completely arbitrary — nobody could explain why it existed.”
What part of speech is “arbitrary”?
“Arbitrary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “arbitrary” come from?
The word “arbitrary” comes from Latin. From Latin arbitrarius, "uncertain, subject to a judge's discretion", from arbiter, "judge".
Is “arbitrary” a common word?
“Arbitrary” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “arbitrary” have?
“Arbitrary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: based on personal choice or chance rather than any clear reason, rule, or system.
What is the difference between arbitrary and random?
Arbitrary describes a decision made by personal choice or whim without a clear justifying rule, while random specifically implies no pattern or predictability at all, often in a statistical or chance-based sense. An arbitrary decision can still be made deliberately by a person, whereas something random happens without deliberate control.
What does arbitrary mean in mathematics?
In mathematics and logic, arbitrary means "any one you like" out of all the possible options, rather than random in the everyday sense. For example, an "arbitrary constant" refers to an unspecified value that could be any number, not one chosen by chance.
Is calling a decision arbitrary a criticism?
Yes, describing a decision, rule, or punishment as arbitrary is usually critical, implying it lacks a fair or clear justification and was based on personal whim rather than reasoned judgment. It is commonly used in legal and political contexts to challenge the fairness of a ruling or policy.