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C2 adjective #6,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

arbitrarily

Top 6,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces arbitrarily en 30 secondes

Explication arbitrarily in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'arbitrarily' is a very difficult word that you probably won't use. However, you can understand the idea. Imagine you have a box of red, blue, and green candies. If you close your eyes and pick one without looking, you are picking it 'arbitrarily.' It means you don't have a plan. You don't have a reason like 'I want the red one.' You just take one. In simple English, we say 'just because' or 'without a reason.' For example, if a teacher says, 'You, you, and you come here,' and doesn't explain why she chose those three students, she is choosing them arbitrarily. It is like a surprise that doesn't follow a rule. At this level, don't worry about using the word, but try to remember it means 'no reason' and 'no rule.' It is about making a choice because you feel like it at that moment.

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At the A2 level, you can start to see 'arbitrarily' in stories or news. It is an adverb, which means it describes how someone does something. If someone makes a decision 'arbitrarily,' they are not following a system. Think about playing a game. Usually, games have rules. If a player suddenly changes the rules for no reason, they are acting arbitrarily. It is different from 'randomly' because 'randomly' is like rolling dice, while 'arbitrarily' is a person making a choice that seems unfair. For example, 'The boss arbitrarily picked who could go home early.' This means the boss didn't look at who worked the hardest; he just picked names for no clear reason. It often makes people feel a little bit unhappy because it isn't fair. You can think of it as 'making a choice based on a whim.'

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At the B1 level, you should understand that 'arbitrarily' is often used to criticize someone in power. It describes an action taken without a logical basis or a fair system. For instance, in a school, if a principal arbitrarily bans certain types of shoes, students might complain because there is no clear safety or educational reason for the ban. It means the decision was based on the principal's personal preference rather than a set of established guidelines. You might also see this in science or math, where it means 'choosing any value.' For example, 'We arbitrarily chose 100 as the starting number for our experiment.' This means 100 isn't a special number, but we needed a number to start with, so we picked one. It's a useful word for describing situations where there is no 'rule of law' or consistent logic being applied.

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At the B2 level, 'arbitrarily' becomes a key word for discussing social and political issues. It implies a lack of justification that can lead to injustice. When you use this word, you are often pointing out that a decision-maker is being inconsistent or unfair. For example, 'The government arbitrarily detained several activists.' This sentence suggests that the activists were arrested without proper evidence or legal procedures. In business, you might say, 'The company arbitrarily increased its prices,' suggesting that the price hike wasn't due to higher costs but just a desire for more profit. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'randomly.' While 'randomly' is often positive or neutral (like a random act of kindness), 'arbitrarily' is frequently negative, implying that someone is using their power in a way that is unpredictable and potentially harmful to others.

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At the C1 level, you are expected to use 'arbitrarily' with precision in academic and professional contexts. It is a powerful tool for analyzing systems and arguments. In legal contexts, acting 'arbitrarily and capriciously' is a serious accusation against a government agency, meaning they made a decision without considering the facts or the law. In linguistics, you will learn about the 'arbitrary nature of the sign,' which means there is no natural connection between a word like 'tree' and the physical object it represents; it is a social convention. You should also recognize its use in mathematics and logic to mean 'without loss of generality.' For example, 'Let x be an arbitrarily chosen integer.' This means that whatever you prove about x will be true for all integers, because x was chosen without any special properties. Using 'arbitrarily' at this level shows you understand the nuances of agency, logic, and systemic consistency.

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At the C2 level, you should have a complete mastery of 'arbitrarily,' including its philosophical and socio-political implications. You can use it to deconstruct complex systems of power, arguing that certain social hierarchies are constructed arbitrarily rather than being based on merit or natural law. You might use it in a sentence like: 'The ontological distinction between the two categories was arbitrarily maintained by the institution to preserve its traditional power structure.' This demonstrates an understanding of how 'arbitrariness' can be a tool of systemic control. You should also be comfortable using it in highly technical fields, such as computer science (arbitrary precision arithmetic) or high-level physics. At this level, the word is not just a descriptor but a conceptual lens through which you can examine the validity of reasons, the consistency of laws, and the fundamental randomness or intentionality of the universe and human society.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

arbitrarily en 30 secondes

Arbitrarily describes actions taken without a logical system, often based on personal whim or random choice rather than objective criteria or established rules.
It is frequently used in formal or legal contexts to criticize decisions that appear unfair, inconsistent, or an abuse of someone's authority.
The word can also be used neutrally in technical fields like mathematics or science to indicate that any value could be chosen for a variable.
Commonly confused with 'randomly,' 'arbitrarily' usually implies a human choice that lacks justification, whereas 'randomly' implies a mathematical lack of pattern.

The word arbitrarily is a sophisticated adverb used to describe actions, decisions, or selections that are made without a consistent plan, logical reason, or formal system. When something is done arbitrarily, it is based on the internal whims or the personal discretion of an individual rather than being dictated by objective criteria or external laws. This word carries a significant weight in academic, legal, and social contexts because it often implies a lack of fairness or a potential abuse of power. If a teacher gives out grades arbitrarily, it means they aren't looking at the quality of the work but perhaps just picking numbers out of a hat or deciding based on their mood that morning. This lack of predictability is what distinguishes arbitrary actions from systematic ones.

Core Concept: The essence of acting arbitrarily lies in the absence of a 'why' that others can understand or predict. It is the opposite of being methodical or evidence-based.
Connotation: In many contexts, the word has a negative connotation, suggesting that a decision is unjust, tyrannical, or simply lazy. However, in mathematics or logic, it can be neutral, meaning 'any value chosen without specific requirements'.

The dictator ruled the country by decree, changing the laws arbitrarily to suit his own interests at any given moment.

People use this word most frequently when they are criticizing a process that should be objective. For instance, in a workplace, if bonuses are distributed arbitrarily, employees will likely feel demotivated because they cannot see a path to success through hard work. In the realm of linguistics, Ferdinand de Saussure famously argued that the relationship between a word (the signifier) and its meaning (the signified) is established arbitrarily; there is no inherent reason why the four-legged animal we call a 'dog' must be called by that specific sound.

The border between the two colonial territories was drawn arbitrarily on a map, completely ignoring the ethnic and cultural boundaries of the people living there.

Scientific Context: In a laboratory setting, a researcher might arbitrarily assign participants to Group A or Group B to ensure that there is no bias in the selection process, though 'randomly' is more common here.

Understanding the nuances of acting arbitrarily helps in identifying systemic flaws. When a system operates arbitrarily, it lacks 'rule of law.' This is why democratic institutions strive to prevent leaders from acting arbitrarily. We expect laws to be applied consistently to everyone, regardless of who is in power. When consistency fails, the word 'arbitrarily' is the primary tool for describing that failure. It suggests a lack of accountability and a reliance on individual impulse rather than collective agreement or rational thought.

The software limits the number of files you can upload arbitrarily to ten, even though the server has plenty of storage space.

Using 'arbitrarily' correctly requires placing it near the verb it modifies to clarify how an action is being performed. It is most commonly used to modify verbs related to decision-making, selection, or limit-setting. Because it is a multi-syllabic C2-level word, it is best suited for formal writing, legal documents, or critical essays. In spoken English, it is used to express frustration with a decision that seems to have no basis in reality.

Placement in Sentences: It usually follows the verb (e.g., 'decided arbitrarily') or the direct object (e.g., 'chose the winners arbitrarily'). It can also appear between the auxiliary verb and the main verb (e.g., 'was arbitrarily chosen').

The committee arbitrarily excluded several qualified candidates without providing a clear explanation for their rejection.

When constructing a sentence, consider whether the action was based on a rule or a whim. If a rule was followed, 'arbitrarily' is the wrong word. If the rule was ignored or didn't exist, 'arbitrarily' is perfect. For example, 'The price was set arbitrarily at $50' suggests that there was no market research or cost analysis involved; the person just liked the number 50. This differs from 'The price was set at $50 based on manufacturing costs,' where the action is systematic.

The data points were arbitrarily grouped into three categories to simplify the presentation, though other groupings would have been equally valid.

Common Verb Pairings: Determined arbitrarily, selected arbitrarily, assigned arbitrarily, defined arbitrarily, increased/decreased arbitrarily.

In persuasive writing, using 'arbitrarily' can serve as a powerful rhetorical device. By labeling an opponent's choice as being made 'arbitrarily,' you are effectively calling it irrational and groundless. It forces the other party to defend their reasoning. If they cannot provide a logical basis for their action, your use of 'arbitrarily' stands as a valid critique. In technical writing, such as mathematics or coding, it is used to indicate that a specific value is chosen for the sake of an example but could be replaced by any other value without changing the fundamental logic of the proof or function.

The curfew was arbitrarily enforced by the guards, who allowed some people to pass while detaining others for no apparent reason.

You will encounter 'arbitrarily' in environments where authority, logic, and systems are discussed. It is a staple of legal proceedings, where lawyers might argue that a law is being applied 'arbitrarily and capriciously,' which is a specific legal standard in many jurisdictions to describe government actions that lack a rational basis. In these settings, the word is not just a descriptor but a legal claim that can lead to a ruling being overturned.

News and Media: Journalists use 'arbitrarily' to highlight perceived injustices in government policy or corporate behavior. For example, 'The social media platform arbitrarily suspended accounts without citing specific policy violations.'

The judge ruled that the agency had acted arbitrarily when it denied the permit, as all safety requirements had been met.

In the world of academia and science, 'arbitrarily' appears in research papers to describe the selection of variables or the setting of thresholds. A scientist might write, 'The cutoff for statistical significance is often set arbitrarily at p < 0.05.' Here, the word acknowledges that while 0.05 is the standard, there is no physical law of the universe that makes 0.05 inherently 'better' than 0.04 or 0.06; it is a human-made convention. Similarly, in history, you might hear about how colonial powers 'arbitrarily' divided the African continent, leading to long-term geopolitical instability.

Economists argue that the interest rate was arbitrarily capped, preventing the market from reaching a natural equilibrium.

Everyday Frustrations: You might hear a friend say, 'My boss just arbitrarily decided that we can't work from home on Fridays anymore.' This expresses the feeling that the decision wasn't based on productivity but on a personal whim.

Finally, in sports, fans often complain that referees apply rules 'arbitrarily.' If a foul is called on one player but ignored for another in the same situation, the referee is said to be acting arbitrarily. This usage underscores the human desire for consistency and fairness in all systems, whether they are games, governments, or social groups. The word serves as a linguistic red flag for inconsistency.

The length of the probationary period was set arbitrarily at six months, regardless of the employee's prior experience.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 'arbitrarily' as a direct synonym for 'randomly.' While they are related, they are not interchangeable in all contexts. 'Randomly' implies a lack of pattern or a mathematical chance (like rolling dice), whereas 'arbitrarily' often implies a human decision that is made without a logical basis. If a computer generates a number, it does so 'randomly.' If a person picks a number because they like how it looks, they have chosen it 'arbitrarily.'

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Optionally': Some learners think 'arbitrarily' means you have the choice to do something. This is incorrect. 'Arbitrarily' describes the *manner* of the choice, not the fact that a choice exists. Saying 'You can arbitrarily attend the meeting' is confusing; you should say 'Attendance is optional.'

Incorrect: He arbitrarily decided to go to the store because he needed milk. (This is a logical reason, so it's not arbitrary.)

Another error is using 'arbitrarily' when 'capriciously' or 'whimsically' might be more accurate for lighthearted situations. 'Arbitrarily' is a heavy, serious word. Using it to describe choosing a ice cream flavor might sound overly dramatic or clinical unless you are trying to be funny. Save 'arbitrarily' for situations involving rules, systems, and significant consequences.

Correct: The tax was applied arbitrarily to some imported goods but not others, confusing local merchants.

Mistake 2: Overusing it in Informal Speech: Because it is a C2 word, using it too often in casual conversation can make you sound pretentious. Phrases like 'I just arbitrarily picked a shirt' are better replaced with 'I just picked a shirt at random.'

Lastly, be careful with the word 'arbitrator.' While they share the same root, an 'arbitrator' is someone who makes a fair decision based on evidence to settle a dispute. Ironically, an arbitrator must *not* act arbitrarily; they must act according to the law and the facts presented to them. Confusing these two can lead to significant misunderstandings in business and legal writing.

The manager arbitrarily changed the project deadline to Friday, leaving the team with no time to complete the necessary testing.

To expand your vocabulary beyond 'arbitrarily,' it's helpful to understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. While 'arbitrarily' suggests a lack of logic, other words might emphasize the speed, the emotion, or the messiness of the decision-making process. Choosing the right alternative can make your writing more precise and evocative.

Capriciously: This word emphasizes a sudden change in mood or behavior. If a king executes people 'capriciously,' he does it because his mood shifted instantly. It is more emotional than 'arbitrarily.'
Haphazardly: This describes something done in a disorganized or messy way, with no concern for safety or order. 'Books were stacked haphazardly on the floor.' It implies a lack of care rather than just a lack of logic.

The judge's decisions were made capriciously, varying wildly depending on how much sleep he had gotten the night before.

Another useful alternative is 'at random' or 'randomly.' As discussed, these are more mathematical. If you are talking about a computer program or a lottery, 'randomly' is the better choice. If you are talking about a human choosing something without a good reason, 'arbitrarily' is superior. For instance, 'The winner was chosen randomly by a computer' vs 'The winner was chosen arbitrarily by the judge who liked her dress.'

The items were haphazardly tossed into the box, resulting in several broken pieces during the move.

Willfully: This suggests that someone is making a choice intentionally, often in defiance of rules or logic. It implies a stubbornness that 'arbitrarily' might not have.
Aimlessly: This describes an action without a goal. If you are walking 'aimlessly,' you have no destination. 'Arbitrarily' usually involves a destination or a choice, just one made without a good reason.

In formal academic contexts, you might use 'discretionarily.' This is a more neutral term. If a manager has the power to give bonuses 'discretionarily,' it means they have the legal or professional right to decide based on their own judgment. It lacks the negative 'unfair' connotation that 'arbitrarily' often carries. Understanding these subtle shifts in meaning allows you to tailor your language to your specific audience and purpose.

The funds were distributed discretionarily by the foundation board, following their internal assessment of community needs.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root word 'arbiter' is also where we get the word 'umpire' in spirit, though not etymologically. An arbiter was originally someone who 'goes to' a place to witness or judge a situation.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˌɑː.bɪˈtrər.əl.i/

US /ˌɑːr.bɪˈtrɛr.əl.i/

The primary stress is on the third syllable: ar-bi-TRAR-i-ly.

Rime avec

necessarily temporarily extraordinarily momentarily voluntarily customarily primarily secondarily

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'ar-bi-tra-ry-ly' (adding an extra syllable).
Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing the 't' sound with a 'd' sound.
Skipping the 'r' sound in non-rhotic accents incorrectly.
Mumbling the ending '-ily' so it sounds like '-y'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 8/5

Requires understanding of nuance between randomness and human agency.

Écriture 9/5

Hard to use correctly without sounding pretentious or inaccurate.

Expression orale 8/5

Multi-syllabic and requires precise stress on the third syllable.

Écoute 7/5

Can be confused with 'arbitrary' or 'arbitrator' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

random decision reason system rule

Apprends ensuite

capricious haphazard discretionary rationalize subjective

Avancé

ontological semiotics jurisprudence axiom stochastic

Grammaire à connaître

Adverb Placement

He arbitrarily decided (Mid-position) vs He decided arbitrarily (End-position).

Passive Voice with Adverbs

The values were arbitrarily assigned (Adverb before main verb).

Adverbial Phrases

Acting in an arbitrary manner is synonymous with acting arbitrarily.

Modifying Adjectives

The price was arbitrarily high (Adverb modifying adjective).

Negative Inversion (Rare)

Seldom has a law been so arbitrarily enforced.

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Exemples par niveau

He picked a color arbitrarily.

Il a choisi une couleur au hasard.

Adverb modifying the verb 'picked'.

The teacher chose names arbitrarily.

L'enseignant a choisi des noms de manière arbitraire.

Adverb describing the method of selection.

I chose this seat arbitrarily.

J'ai choisi ce siège arbitrairement.

Modifies 'chose'.

She changed the time arbitrarily.

Elle a changé l'heure arbitrairement.

Adverb of manner.

The toys were placed arbitrarily.

Les jouets ont été placés de manière arbitraire.

Passive voice construction.

They picked a team arbitrarily.

Ils ont choisi une équipe arbitrairement.

Modifies 'picked'.

He walked arbitrarily left or right.

Il marchait arbitrairement à gauche ou à droite.

Describes direction of action.

The numbers were chosen arbitrarily.

Les numéros ont été choisis arbitrairement.

Passive voice.

The boss arbitrarily gave a day off.

Le patron a arbitrairement donné un jour de congé.

Focus on the lack of a clear rule.

The rules were applied arbitrarily.

Les règles ont été appliquées de manière arbitraire.

Commonly used with 'applied'.

She arbitrarily decided to quit her job.

Elle a arbitrairement décidé de quitter son emploi.

Modifies the decision-making process.

The prices were increased arbitrarily.

Les prix ont été augmentés arbitrairement.

Suggests unfairness.

The group was split arbitrarily into two.

Le groupe a été divisé arbitrairement en deux.

Used in organizational contexts.

He arbitrarily skipped the first chapter.

Il a arbitrairement sauté le premier chapitre.

Describes an action without a logical sequence.

The winner was picked arbitrarily from the list.

Le gagnant a été choisi arbitrairement dans la liste.

Similar to 'randomly' but implies human choice.

They arbitrarily set the speed limit at 20.

Ils ont arbitrairement fixé la limite de vitesse à 20.

Implies the number was chosen without study.

The committee arbitrarily rejected the proposal.

Le comité a arbitrairement rejeté la proposition.

Suggests a lack of objective evaluation.

The software arbitrarily deletes old files.

Le logiciel supprime arbitrairement les anciens fichiers.

Describes a process that lacks user-defined logic.

The border was arbitrarily drawn by colonialists.

La frontière a été tracée arbitrairement par les colonialistes.

Historical/Political usage.

He was arbitrarily assigned to the night shift.

Il a été arbitrairement affecté à l'équipe de nuit.

Implies a lack of consideration for his preference.

The judge arbitrarily doubled the fine.

Le juge a arbitrairement doublé l'amende.

Legal context, implies abuse of power.

The data points were arbitrarily categorized.

Les points de données ont été classés arbitrairement.

Scientific/Analytical usage.

She arbitrarily chose a password she couldn't remember.

Elle a choisi arbitrairement un mot de passe dont elle ne se souvenait pas.

Implies a lack of foresight.

The colors were arbitrarily assigned to the teams.

Les couleurs ont été attribuées arbitrairement aux équipes.

Neutral usage in organization.

The police were accused of arbitrarily stopping drivers.

La police a été accusée d'arrêter arbitrairement les conducteurs.

Often used with 'accused of'.

The deadline was arbitrarily moved forward by a week.

Le délai a été arbitrairement avancé d'une semaine.

Common in professional contexts.

The wealth was arbitrarily distributed among the heirs.

La richesse a été arbitrairement répartie entre les héritiers.

Implies lack of fairness in inheritance.

The system arbitrarily limits the number of attempts.

Le système limite arbitrairement le nombre de tentatives.

Describes a built-in constraint without clear reason.

He arbitrarily decided that the meeting was over.

Il a arbitrairement décidé que la réunion était terminée.

Implies an abrupt, unilateral decision.

The tax was arbitrarily applied to certain services.

La taxe a été appliquée arbitrairement à certains services.

Critique of policy application.

They arbitrarily excluded her from the conversation.

Ils l'ont arbitrairement exclue de la conversation.

Social context, implies emotional hurt.

The sample size was arbitrarily set at fifty people.

La taille de l'échantillon a été fixée arbitrairement à cinquante personnes.

Academic context, implies lack of statistical rigor.

The administration was criticized for acting arbitrarily.

L'administration a été critiquée pour avoir agi de manière arbitraire.

Abstract usage describing a pattern of behavior.

Values were arbitrarily assigned to the variables in the model.

Des valeurs ont été attribuées arbitrairement aux variables du modèle.

Technical usage in modeling.

The law was arbitrarily enforced, leading to widespread unrest.

La loi a été appliquée de manière arbitraire, entraînant une agitation généralisée.

Focus on the consequence of arbitrariness.

The distinction between the two species is arbitrarily defined.

La distinction entre les deux espèces est définie de manière arbitraire.

Scientific critique of classification.

The CEO arbitrarily fired the department head.

Le PDG a arbitrairement licencié le chef de département.

Implies a lack of due process in employment.

The city's boundaries were arbitrarily expanded last year.

Les limites de la ville ont été élargies arbitrairement l'année dernière.

Usage in urban planning/politics.

She found that the rules were arbitrarily applied by the guards.

Elle a constaté que les règles étaient appliquées arbitrairement par les gardes.

Focus on the observer's perspective.

The research findings were arbitrarily interpreted to fit the theory.

Les résultats de la recherche ont été interprétés arbitrairement pour s'adapter à la théorie.

Critique of scientific integrity.

The sovereign’s power was exercised arbitrarily, without regard for the constitution.

Le pouvoir du souverain était exercé de manière arbitraire, sans égard pour la constitution.

High-level political/legal discourse.

Linguistic signs are arbitrarily linked to their referents.

Les signes linguistiques sont liés arbitrairement à leurs référents.

Specific to semiotics and linguistics.

The judge’s ruling was seen as arbitrarily punitive.

La décision du juge a été considérée comme arbitrairement punitive.

Nuanced description of judicial intent.

The aesthetic categories were arbitrarily imposed by the critics.

Les catégories esthétiques ont été imposées arbitrairement par les critiques.

Usage in cultural theory.

The algorithm arbitrarily prioritizes certain types of content.

L'algorithme donne arbitrairement la priorité à certains types de contenu.

Contemporary tech critique.

The historical narrative was arbitrarily truncated to serve a political agenda.

Le récit historique a été arbitrairement tronqué pour servir un agenda politique.

Usage in historiography.

The boundaries of the self are arbitrarily defined by social interaction.

Les limites du soi sont définies arbitrairement par l'interaction sociale.

Philosophical/Psychological usage.

He argued that the law was being applied arbitrarily and capriciously.

Il a soutenu que la loi était appliquée de manière arbitraire et capricieuse.

Standard legal phrasing.

Synonymes

randomly capriciously haphazardly indiscriminately whimsically aimlessly

Antonymes

systematically logically deliberately

Collocations courantes

arbitrarily chosen

arbitrarily assigned

arbitrarily decided

arbitrarily enforced

arbitrarily defined

arbitrarily determined

arbitrarily selected

arbitrarily imposed

arbitrarily limited

arbitrarily changed

Phrases Courantes

act arbitrarily

— To behave or make decisions without a system or reason.

The council must not act arbitrarily when approving permits.

arbitrarily and capriciously

— A legal phrase describing government actions that lack a rational basis.

The court found the agency acted arbitrarily and capriciously.

set arbitrarily

— To establish a value or limit without a specific reason.

The fee was set arbitrarily at ten dollars.

arbitrarily large

— In mathematics, a value that can be as big as one wants.

The variable N can be an arbitrarily large integer.

arbitrarily small

— In mathematics, a value that can be as close to zero as one wants.

The difference between the two points is arbitrarily small.

arbitrarily picked

— To choose something on a whim.

She arbitrarily picked a book from the shelf.

arbitrarily excluded

— To leave someone or something out without a fair reason.

Several qualified applicants were arbitrarily excluded.

arbitrarily increased

— To raise a price or amount without a clear justification.

Rent was arbitrarily increased by the landlord.

arbitrarily assigned tasks

— Work given to people without considering their skills.

The manager arbitrarily assigned tasks to the new interns.

arbitrarily defined boundaries

— Limits that are not based on natural or logical divisions.

The study used arbitrarily defined boundaries for the regions.

Souvent confondu avec

arbitrarily vs randomly

Randomly implies a lack of pattern; arbitrarily implies a human choice without a good reason.

arbitrarily vs arbitrarily

Don't confuse with 'arbitrarily' (adverb) and 'arbitrary' (adjective). Use the adverb for actions.

arbitrarily vs optionally

Optionally means you have a choice; arbitrarily describes how a choice was made.

Expressions idiomatiques

"at the stroke of a pen"

— Describes a decision made arbitrarily and quickly by someone in power.

The old laws were abolished at the stroke of a pen.

formal

"on a whim"

— Doing something based on a sudden desire or impulse.

She bought the car on a whim, without checking her bank account.

informal

"pull out of a hat"

— To choose or suggest something arbitrarily or randomly.

He seemed to pull those statistics out of a hat.

informal

"play god"

— To act as if one has the power to make arbitrary decisions about others' lives.

The administrator was accused of playing god with the budget.

idiomatic

"without rhyme or reason"

— Completely arbitrarily; having no logical explanation.

The system crashed without rhyme or reason.

neutral

"at one's own sweet will"

— To do something exactly as one wants, often arbitrarily.

He changed the office layout at his own sweet will.

literary

"at the drop of a hat"

— Doing something immediately and often for no significant reason.

He would change his mind at the drop of a hat.

informal

"make it up as one goes along"

— To act or decide arbitrarily because there is no plan.

The new manager seemed to be making it up as he went along.

informal

"take a stab in the dark"

— To make an arbitrary guess without any information.

I was just taking a stab in the dark when I chose that answer.

informal

"rule with an iron fist"

— To exercise power arbitrarily and harshly.

The director ruled the department with an iron fist.

idiomatic

Facile à confondre

arbitrarily vs Capriciously

Both mean without reason.

Capriciously implies a change in mood; arbitrarily implies a lack of a system.

The tyrant ruled capriciously, while the bureaucrat acted arbitrarily.

arbitrarily vs Haphazardly

Both imply a lack of order.

Haphazardly implies messiness or lack of care; arbitrarily implies a lack of logic in decision.

The books were stacked haphazardly; the price was set arbitrarily.

arbitrarily vs Spontaneously

Both imply unplanned actions.

Spontaneously is often positive and natural; arbitrarily is often negative and forced.

They danced spontaneously; he fired her arbitrarily.

arbitrarily vs Subjectively

Both involve personal choice.

Subjectively is based on feelings; arbitrarily is based on whim without even a feeling-based reason.

I liked the movie subjectively; the award was given arbitrarily.

arbitrarily vs Inconsistently

Both involve changing rules.

Inconsistently means not the same every time; arbitrarily means having no reason for the change.

He graded inconsistently; he picked the grade arbitrarily.

Structures de phrases

Subject + verb + arbitrarily.

The winners were chosen arbitrarily.

Subject + arbitrarily + verb.

The manager arbitrarily changed the rules.

It was + adverbially + decided that...

It was arbitrarily decided that the fee would increase.

Adverb + past participle + noun.

The arbitrarily assigned tasks were difficult.

To act + arbitrarily + is to...

To act arbitrarily is to undermine the rule of law.

The + noun + was + arbitrarily + adjective.

The selection was arbitrarily exclusive.

Subject + was + accused of + acting + arbitrarily.

The board was accused of acting arbitrarily.

By + acting + arbitrarily, + subject + verb.

By acting arbitrarily, the judge lost the public's trust.

Famille de mots

Noms

arbitrariness

arbitration

arbitrator

arbiter

Verbes

arbitrate

Adjectifs

arbitrary

Apparenté

capricious

discretionary

random

subjective

unprincipled

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in academic, legal, and formal journalistic writing. Rare in casual conversation.

Erreurs courantes

The weather changed arbitrarily. → The weather changed capriciously.
Weather doesn't make decisions, so 'capriciously' (mood-like change) or 'unpredictably' is better.
I arbitrarily want to go to the park. → I suddenly want to go to the park.
'Arbitrarily' describes how a choice is made within a system, not a simple desire.
He is an arbitrarily person. → He is an arbitrary person.
Use the adjective 'arbitrary' to describe a person, not the adverb 'arbitrarily'.
The computer arbitrarily picked a number. → The computer randomly picked a number.
Computers follow algorithms; unless the algorithm is flawed, 'randomly' is the technical term.
You can arbitrarily choose between tea or coffee. → You can choose either tea or coffee.
Using 'arbitrarily' here is unnecessary and sounds overly formal for a simple choice.

Astuces

Use in Essays

When writing a critical essay, use 'arbitrarily' to point out flaws in an argument or a system. It sounds authoritative and precise.

Word Family

Remember that 'arbitrator' and 'arbitrarily' come from the same root but have different meanings. An arbitrator must not act arbitrarily!

Stress the Third Syllable

Ensure you put the emphasis on 'TRAR' to be understood by native speakers. This is the most common pronunciation mistake.

Legal Context

If you are studying law, memorize the phrase 'arbitrary and capricious.' It is a standard collocation in administrative law.

Vs Randomly

Use 'randomly' for machines and math; use 'arbitrarily' for humans and decisions. This distinction shows C2-level mastery.

Modify the Verb

Place 'arbitrarily' immediately after the verb it modifies for the clearest sentence structure, e.g., 'He chose arbitrarily.'

Linguistic Sign

In linguistics, the 'arbitrary nature of the sign' is a foundational concept. Use this phrase when discussing how language works.

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Arbiter' (judge) who is 'Rarely' (rarily) fair. This helps you remember both the spelling and the meaning.

Avoid Overuse

Because it's a 'big' word, don't use it more than once or twice in a short piece of writing to avoid sounding repetitive.

Check for Reasons

Before using 'arbitrarily,' ask yourself: 'Was there really NO reason?' If there was a reason (even a bad one), 'arbitrarily' might not be the best fit.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an 'Arbiter' who is 'Rarely' fair. Arbitrarily = Arbiter + Rarely (logical). If a judge acts without a system, they act arbitrarily.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person blindfolded, throwing darts at a board of options. Wherever the dart lands is the decision they make 'arbitrarily'.

Word Web

Unfair Whim No Reason Decision Power Random Systemless Authority

Défi

Try to use 'arbitrarily' in a sentence about a bad boss, a confusing video game rule, and a mathematical variable.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin 'arbitrarius', which comes from 'arbiter' meaning a judge or witness. It originally referred to a decision made by an arbiter's own judgment.

Sens originel : Depending on the will or pleasure of an individual; left to be decided by an arbiter.

Italic -> Romance -> Latin -> Middle English -> Modern English.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using this word to describe cultural traditions; what seems 'arbitrary' to an outsider often has deep historical roots to an insider.

In the US and UK, 'arbitrarily' is a common term in political rhetoric used to describe 'government overreach.'

Ferdinand de Saussure's 'The Arbitrariness of the Sign'. Legal cases involving the 'Arbitrary and Capricious' standard. Kafka's 'The Trial' where the law is applied arbitrarily.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Legal Proceedings

arbitrarily and capriciously
arbitrary detention
abuse of discretion
lack of rational basis

Scientific Research

arbitrarily assigned
arbitrary threshold
chosen for convenience
variable selection

Workplace Management

arbitrary deadlines
inconsistent grading
managerial whim
unfair distribution

Linguistics

arbitrariness of the sign
conventional meaning
symbolic relationship
linguistic construct

Urban Planning

arbitrarily drawn borders
zoning decisions
jurisdictional limits
geographic selection

Amorces de conversation

"Do you think the rules in most workplaces are applied fairly, or are they sometimes enforced arbitrarily?"

"Can you think of a time when a teacher or boss made an arbitrary decision that frustrated you?"

"In your opinion, are social media algorithms acting arbitrarily when they ban certain users?"

"Is the way we name objects in our language completely arbitrary, or is there some logic behind it?"

"How should a society prevent its leaders from making arbitrary laws?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a situation where you felt a decision was made arbitrarily. How did it affect your motivation?

Reflect on the 'arbitrary nature of the sign.' If you could rename five common objects, what would you call them and why?

Write about a fictional world where all laws are decided arbitrarily by a roll of the dice every morning.

Analyze a recent news story where a government or corporation was accused of acting arbitrarily.

Do you believe that 'luck' is just a series of arbitrary events, or is there a pattern we can't see?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not necessarily. In mathematics or science, choosing a value arbitrarily is a neutral act used to test a theory or start an equation. However, in social and legal contexts, it usually carries a negative connotation of being unfair.

Randomly implies a mathematical lack of order (like a coin flip). Arbitrarily usually involves a human making a choice that doesn't follow a logical rule, often implying a whim or an abuse of power.

Yes, but it sounds very formal. Instead of saying 'I arbitrarily chose this shirt,' most people would say 'I just picked this shirt at random' or 'I picked it on a whim.'

The stress is on the third syllable: ar-bi-TRAR-i-ly. In the US, it's five syllables (ar-bi-trer-uh-lee), and in the UK, it's often four (ar-bi-trer-li).

It is a decision made without any logical reason or based on a personal whim rather than a rule. For example, picking a winner based on their hair color would be an arbitrary decision.

Yes, it is very common. 'Arbitrary and capricious' is a legal standard used to describe government actions that are not based on facts or law and can therefore be overturned by a court.

It means a number can be as large as you want it to be for the sake of a proof or calculation. It doesn't have a fixed limit.

No, it is an adverb, so it describes an action. You would use the adjective 'arbitrary' to describe a physical object or a noun (e.g., 'an arbitrary shape').

Yes, it is considered a high-level vocabulary word because of its nuanced meaning and its use in complex academic and legal discussions.

The opposites include 'methodically,' 'systematically,' 'logically,' and 'rationally'—all describing actions based on a clear plan or reason.

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