Arbitrary
Definition
Arbitrary is an adjective that describes decisions, actions, or rules that are based on personal choice or random selection rather than any reason, logic, or system. It can also mean that something is subject to individual will, often implying an absence of fairness or consistency.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑrbɪˌtrɛri/
- Respelling: AR-bi-trer-ee
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑːbɪtrəri/
- Respelling: AH-bi-truh-ree
The pronunciation of "arbitrary" varies slightly between American and British English, particularly in the placement of emphasis and vowel sounds.
Etymology
The word "arbitrary" originates from the Latin "arbitrarius," meaning "depending on the will of another," derived from "arbiter," meaning "judge" or "decider." It entered Middle English in the 15th century, adopting its current meanings associated with randomness or subjective decision-making.
Derivatives
- Arbitrariness (noun)
- Arbitrarily (adverb)
- Arbitrative (adjective)
- Arbitrator (noun)
- Arbitrate (verb)
Synonyms
- Random
- Capricious
- Unreasonable
Antonyms
- Reasoned
- Rational
- Consistent
Usage
The term "arbitrary" is often used to describe choices, decisions, or actions that lack clear rationale or are based solely on personal preference. For example, "The teacher’s grading system seemed arbitrary," or "The judge’s arbitrary ruling surprised everyone." It is commonly applied in legal, philosophical, and everyday contexts where impartiality is expected.
Related Terms
- Capricious: Given to sudden changes in mood or behavior without clear reason.
- Discretionary: Based on personal judgment rather than set rules.
- Subjective: Based on personal opinions rather than objective facts.
Detailed Definitions
Adjective
- Based on random choice or personal whim: Refers to decisions made without clear reason or consistent method.
- Example: "The choice of winner was completely arbitrary."
- Not bound by any rules or standards: Implies actions or decisions that are subject to individual will rather than established criteria.
- Example: "His management style was arbitrary and unpredictable."
arbitrary
Her choice of selecting one shape among many was completely arbitrary, with no particular reason behind it.
Her choice of restaurant was completely arbitrary, as she simply picked the first name she saw.
The manager's arbitrary dismissal of the employee left everyone shocked and confused.
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- 任意 (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɻən.iː/
- English Respelling: ren-yi
- 武断 (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈwuˈduan/
- English Respelling: wu-duan
🇮🇳 Hindi
- मनमानी (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mənma:ni:/
- English Respelling: manmaani
- स्वेच्छापूर्वक (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sveʧʰa:purvak/
- English Respelling: svecchāpūrvak
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Arbitrario (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ar.biˈtɾa.ɾjo/
- English Respelling: ahr-bee-trah-ryo
- Caprichoso (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ka.priˈʧo.so/
- English Respelling: kah-pree-choh-soh
🇫🇷 French
- Arbitraire (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /aʁ.biˈtʁɛʁ/
- English Respelling: ahr-bee-trair
- Capricieux (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ka.pʁiˈsjø/
- English Respelling: kah-pree-syuh
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- عشوائي (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʕʃwæːʔiː/
- English Respelling: ishwa'i
- تعسفي (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /taʕsˤɪfiː/
- English Respelling: ta'sifi
🇧🇩 Bengali
- স্বেচ্ছাচারিন (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃʷetʃʰatʃarɪn/
- English Respelling: svecchacharin
- বিচারহীন (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /bitʃarhin/
- English Respelling: bicharhin
🇷🇺 Russian
- произвольный (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /prəɪzˈvolʲnɨj/
- English Respelling: proiz-vol'-nyi
- самодурский (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /səmɐˈdurskʲɪj/
- English Respelling: sah-mah-doorski
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Arbitrário (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /aʁ.biˈtɾa.ɾju/
- English Respelling: ahr-bee-trah-ry
- Caprichoso (when used to describe arbitrary or whimsical decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ka.pɾiˈʃo.zu/
- English Respelling: kah-pree-shoh-zoo
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Sembarang (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /səmˈba.raŋ/
- English Respelling: sem-ba-rang
- Sewenang-wenang (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /səˈwə.naŋ wəˈnaŋ/
- English Respelling: se-we-nang we-nang
🇩🇪 German
- Willkürlich (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈvɪlˌkʏʁlɪç/
- English Respelling: vil-kuer-lich
- Launenhaft (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlaʊ̯nənhaft/
- English Respelling: lown-en-haft
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 任意 (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɲiŋ.i/
- English Respelling: nin-i
- 勝手 (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kaθ.te/
- English Respelling: kat-te
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Tùy ý (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tuj ji/
- English Respelling: tuy-yi
- Tùy tiện (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tuj tjən/
- English Respelling: tuy-tien
🇰🇷 Korean
- 임의적 (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɪm.ui.dʑʌk/
- English Respelling: im-ui-jeok
- 독단적 (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /dok.dan.dʑʌk/
- English Respelling: dok-dan-jeok
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Keyfi (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /cej.fi/
- English Respelling: key-fee
- Gelişi güzel (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɟe.li.ʃi ɟy.zel/
- English Respelling: ge-lee-shee gyoo-zel
🇵🇰 Urdu
- من مانی (general meaning)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mənma:ni:/
- English Respelling: manmaani
- خود سری (referring to decisions)
- IPA Pronunciation: /xʊd.səɾi/
- English Respelling: khud-sari
