Definition of ARBITRARY

arbitrary

Plural: arbitraries

Adjective

  • based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
    • "an arbitrary decision"
    • "the arbitrary rule of a dictator"
    • "an arbitrary penalty"
    • "of arbitrary size and shape"
    • "an arbitrary choice"
    • "arbitrary division of the group into halves"

Adj

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

Noun

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

Examples

  • Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary.
  • The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary, as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.
  • The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.

Origin / Etymology

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

Antonyms

nonarbitrary

Scrabble Score: 14

arbitrary: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
arbitrary: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
arbitrary: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

arbitrary: valid Words With Friends Word