Word
arbitrary
Meanings
Based on personal whim or random choice rather than a clear rule or reason.
Unfair or inconsistent because it is not guided by stable principles.
Existing because of human-made divisions rather than a natural difference.
Definition
Arbitrary describes something decided by personal choice or chance rather than by a clear rule, reason, or system.
Something is arbitrary when it seems based on someone’s preference, whim, or random selection instead of consistent principles. People often use it to criticize rules, limits, or decisions that feel unfair or unjustified. It can also describe divisions or categories that exist mainly because humans drew them that way, not because they are naturally fixed.
Examples
- I found the committee’s ranking arbitrary, because it ignored the published criteria.
- You can’t set an arbitrary deadline and expect everyone to reorganize their work overnight.
- She challenged the arbitrary distinction between “serious” and “popular” literature in her lecture.
- They were frustrated by arbitrary restrictions that changed from one week to the next.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use arbitrary to mean “complicated,” but it actually means “random or without a clear reason.”
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.