arbitrary

Word family  noun arbitrariness adjective arbitrary adverb arbitrarily

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ar·bi·tra·ry /ˈɑːbətrəri, -tri $ ˈɑːrbətreri/ ●○○ AWL adjective  CHANCE/BY CHANCEdecided or arranged without any reason or plan, often unfairly 任意的；专横的，武断的 an arbitrary decision 武断的决定 the arbitrary arrests of political opponents 对政敌的任意逮捕 —arbitrariness noun [uncountable] —arbitrarily /ˈɑːbətrərəli $ ˌɑːrbəˈtrerəli/ adverb an arbitrarily chosen number 任选的一个数字

Examples from the Corpus

arbitrary• You see that the ornaments we are discussing are nothing if not arbitrary.• Casinos sound such arbitrary and decadent places; nobody would want their economy's fate to be determined in one.• Throughout the day, repeal supporters argued that the ban on some types of weapons is arbitrary and unconstitutional.• The government has carried out numerous executions and arbitrary arrests.• The fans complained about the apparently arbitrary distribution of tickets for the next game.• But these images were not arbitrary, let alone trivial.• In the absence of any clear division between administrative and judicial functions, even the humblest official enjoyed arbitrary power.• We had to tell the truth, and we were then judged by mysterious, arbitrary standards.• The way the programme of events is organized seems completely arbitrary to me.arbitrary decision• Case law has shown that court rulings on these kind of scenarios have resulted in arbitrary decisions.• They want continuity of policy, not capricious or arbitrary decisions.• No element in glass to rest on my own arbitrary decision alone, he wrote.• He infuriated his allies with his arbitrary decisions and devious ways.• This effectively enables the Home Office to make arbitrary decisions, deporting people as they see fit, without any independent inquiry.Origin arbitrary (1400-1500) Latin arbitrarius “depending on the decision of a judge, uncertain”, from arbiter; → ARBITER

ar·bi·tra·ry adjectiveChineseSyllable  

arranged unfairly often reason or without Corpus any or decided plan,

arbitrary
ar‧bi‧tra‧ry AC /ˈɑːbətrəri, ˈɑːbɪtrəri, -tri $ ˈɑːrbətreri/ adjectivedecided or arranged without any reason or plan, often unfairly:
    an arbitrary decision
    the arbitrary arrests of political opponents
—arbitrariness noun [uncountable]
—arbitrarily /ˈɑːbətrərəli, ˈɑːbɪtrərəli $ ˌɑːrbəˈtrerəli/ adverb:
    an arbitrarily chosen number

ar·bi·trary AW BrE /ˈɑːbɪtrəri/ 🔊, /ˈɑːbɪtri/ 🔊NAmE /ˈɑːrbətreri/ 🔊 adjective(of an action, a decision, a rule, etc. 行动、决定、规章等) not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair 任意的；武断的；随心所欲的◆The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary. 看来这个队的队员完全是随意选定的。🔊🔊◆He makes unpredictable, arbitrary decisions. 他做的决定难以预料，主观武断。🔊🔊(formal) using power without restriction and without considering other people 专横的；专制的◆the arbitrary powers of officials官员的专制权力▸ ar·bi·trar·ily AW BrE /ˌɑːbɪˈtrerəli/ 🔊, /ˈɑːbɪtrəli/ 🔊NAmE /ˌɑːrbəˈtrerəli/ 🔊 adverb◆The leaders of the groups were chosen arbitrarily. 这些团体的领导人是任意挑选的。🔊🔊▸ ar·bi·trari·ness AW BrE /ˈɑːbɪtrərinəs/ 🔊, /ˈɑːbɪtrinəs/ 🔊NAmE /ˈɑːrbətrerinəs/ 🔊 noun [uncountable]