arbitrary

Meaning

Adj

1. (usually) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
2. Determined by impulse rather than reason; often connoting heavy-handedness.
3. Any, out of all that are possible.
4. Determined by independent arbiter.
5. Not representative or symbolic; not iconic.

Noun

Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

Synonyms

random

accidental

haphazard

any

selfish

casual

discretionary

dogmatic

dictatorial

wanton

incidental

free will

heavy-handed

highhanded

high-handed

indiscriminate

irregular

judgement

judgment

masterful

non-specific

occasional

one

one-sided

optional

overbearing

peremptory

probabilistic

promiscuous

refractory

self-indulgent

self-willed

some kind of

sporadic

stochastic

subjective

tyrannical

unilateral

unspecified

wantonly

wild

wilful

wilfully

willful

any given

one’s own judgement

done at pleasure

arbitrarious

criterionless

adventitious

Translations

arbitraire

arbitrario

arbitrario

willkürlich

αυθαίρετος

arbitrário

arbiträr

willekeurig

quelconque

arbitrair

eigenmächtig

arbitrarius

beliebig

arbitrari

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɑː.bɪ.tɹə.ɹi/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: arbitrarie

In summary

From Middle English arbitrarie, Latin arbitrārius (“arbitrary, uncertain”), from arbiter (“witness, on-looker, listener, judge, overseer”).