random
1 adj A random sample or method is one in which all the people or things involved have an equal chance of being chosen.
usu ADJ n
The survey used a random sample of two thousand people across England and Wales..., The competitors will be subject to random drug testing.
♦
randomly adv ADV with v
...interviews with a randomly selected sample of thirty girls aged between 13 and 18.
2 adj If you describe events as random, you mean that they do not seem to follow a definite plan or pattern.
usu ADJ n
...random violence against innocent victims...
♦
randomly adv ADV with v
...drinks and magazines left scattered randomly around.
3 If you choose people or things at random, you do not use any particular method, so they all have an equal chance of being chosen.
♦
at random phrase PHR after v
We received several answers, and we picked one at random.
4 If something happens at random, it happens without a definite plan or pattern.
♦
at random phrase PHR after v
Three black people were killed by shots fired at random from a minibus.