Vocabulary
Arbitrary: meaning and how to use it
Did your team pick an unreasoned date? You can call that arbitrary.
Calling a choice arbitrary often criticizes how it was made. This lesson shows the word in daily speech and in law.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
arbitrary AHR-buh-trer-ee
The short answer
Arbitrary describes a choice without a clear rule or good reason. It can also describe power used without fair limits.
The company set an arbitrary deadline of two weeks.
Why it works: Here, arbitrary means the timeline was chosen without a clear plan.
3 more examples
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During a team planning session
The team felt that the five-minute limit was arbitrary.
The speaker feels the rule lacks a clear reason.
Not this:The team felt that the five-minute limit was
arbitrarily. What changes: The -ly form tells how an action happens. After felt, use arbitrary. -
In an office announcement
The new manager didn't give a reason for the arbitrary choice.
The choice seems based on a mood, not a business need.
Not this:The new manager didn't give a reason for the
randomchoice. What changes: Random focuses on chance. Arbitrary says the choice lacks a clear or fair basis. The two ideas can overlap. -
In a news broadcast
Citizens protested against arbitrary arrests by the police.
Here it refers to authority acting without legal limits.
Not this:Citizens protested against
subjectivearrests by the police. What changes: Subjective only means based on personal taste, which fails to convey the abuse of legal authority.
Quick check
Your manager picks a launch date without checking the project timeline. Why is that date arbitrary?
In an office meeting about project timelines
Answer: It was chosen without a clear reason or standard.
Show the answer
Answer: It was chosen without a clear reason or standard.
An arbitrary choice happens when someone decides without a clear system or standard.
Read the full guide
Your boss gives the office a new seating rule. Nobody explains why. You wonder whether a plan exists. A choice with no clear rule can be arbitrary.
Two ways people use arbitrary
The problem: I thought arbitrary only meant random. Then I saw it used for unfair rules and power.
At work, you may get a deadline that no one can explain. Ask who set it and how. In law, this word can point to an act by the state that breaks fair rules.
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The boss set an arbitrary date and gave no reason.
Why it works: No one could explain the rule used to pick the date.
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The law allowed arbitrary detention.
Why it works: The law was used with no fair limit.
Make the first beat strong
The problem: I was not sure which part of arbitrary should sound strongest.
Say AHR first. In American English, keep a lighter beat on TRER near the end: AHR-buh-TRER-ee.
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It wasn't an arbitrary cut to your budget.
Why it works: In American speech, say AHR-buh-TRER-ee.
Your turn
Which part has the strongest beat?
Answer: The first part: AHR-buh-TRER-ee
Show the answer
Answer: The first part: AHR-buh-TRER-ee
The strongest beat comes at the start of arbitrary.
Choose the -ly form
The problem: I said he decided arbitrary. I needed the -ly form to tell how he decided.
Check what the word does. Use arbitrary to describe a thing. Use arbitrarily to tell how an act is done.
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Not this:
The manager decided the budget arbitrary.Say: The manager decided the budget arbitrarily.
Add -ly because you are describing the action of deciding.
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They chose the winners arbitrarily.
Why it works: Arbitrarily tells how they chose.
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The rule seemed arbitrary.
Why it works: Arbitrary describes the rule.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the -ly form correctly?
Answer: The names were removed arbitrarily.
Show the answer
Answer: The names were removed arbitrarily.
Arbitrarily describes how the names were removed.
Compare arbitrary and random
The problem: I treated arbitrary and random as exact opposites, although their meanings can overlap.
Arbitrary focuses on a missing clear or fair basis.
The boss set an arbitrary sales target.
Random focuses on a result selected by chance.
A random number generator selected the ticket.
Before you go
Question 1 of 2
You want to tell a coworker politely that a deadline has no clear reason. Which option is best?
Answer: Could you explain this deadline, as it doesn't seem clear and feels arbitrary?
Show the answer
Answer: Could you explain this deadline, as it doesn't seem clear and feels arbitrary?
Asking for reasoning softens the critical tone of arbitrary at work.
Question 2 of 2 · One new sentence
A city government suddenly closes a public park on Tuesdays without any explanation or safety reason. How can a resident describe this decision?
Answer: The park closure has no clear reason, so it seems arbitrary.
Show the answer
Answer: The park closure has no clear reason, so it seems arbitrary.
When an authority makes an unreasoned rule, the decision is arbitrary.
Remember this
Calling a choice arbitrary can sound critical. Use arbitrarily when you describe how someone acts.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Arbitrary: meaning and how to use it"
What does arbitrary mean in everyday use?
It describes a choice, rule, or limit with no clear reason or system behind it. The word often suggests criticism.
The two-week deadline felt arbitrary.
The rule uses an arbitrary cutoff point.
What is the difference between arbitrary and random?
Random focuses on chance. Arbitrary describes something that lacks a clear or fair reason, rule, or system and may sometimes appear random. The meanings can overlap.
A computer selected a random number.
The manager chose an arbitrary date without checking the plan.
Is arbitrary a critical word?
It often is. Calling a decision arbitrary can suggest that it is unreasonable or unfair. At work, ask for the reason if you want a softer tone.
Could you explain how this deadline was chosen?
The deadline feels arbitrary because no rule was given.
When should I use arbitrary or arbitrarily?
Use arbitrary as an adjective for a noun or after a linking verb. Use arbitrarily as an adverb for the way an action is done.
They imposed an arbitrary limit.
The order was changed arbitrarily.
What does arbitrary power mean?
It means authority used without fair limits, rules, or proper regard for people’s rights. This sense is formal and strongly critical.
The law guards citizens against arbitrary arrest.
The report criticized the ruler’s arbitrary power.
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