This meaning shows that something happens without any plan or choice. It can be used when things happen by chance or without order.
She picked a random book from the shelf.
The winner was chosen at random.
In math or science, random means results that cannot be predicted because they happen by chance. It is often used in statistics and computers.
Random numbers help in computer games.
The scientist used random sampling in the test.
As a noun, 'random' means a person you do not know or who is not important. It is informal and used in daily speech.
He is just a random on the street.
Some random called me yesterday.
Used mainly in informal talk to say that a person or thing is strange or does not fit normal ideas.
He is a random guy with strange ideas.
That was a random thing to say.
This use shows that an action was done without planning or thinking first, done suddenly or by chance.
She made a random decision to travel.
They went on a random trip last night.
In computer science, 'random' describes numbers or data created to appear without a pattern, often to make things unpredictable.
Random functions help computers create data.
The game uses random algorithms for challenges.
