What does arbitrarily mean?
"Arbitrarily" is an adverb describing action taken on the basis of personal whim, impulse, or random choice rather than reason, rule, or principle. When someone acts arbitrarily — a government censoring speech arbitrarily, an employer setting rules arbitrarily — the word signals that no consistent logic or fairness governs the decision, which is why it so often appears in discussions of justice, law, and power. The term also has a precise technical life: in mathematics and computer science, something is said to be "arbitrarily large" or "arbitrarily small" when no bound can be placed on it, meaning it can exceed or fall below any given value. Derived from the Latin "arbitrarius," meaning uncertain or dependent on judgment, via "arbitrary," the word entered English in the early modern period alongside its sibling forms. It remains essential vocabulary for anyone discussing discretion, bias, or unbounded quantities.
adverbIn a manner based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason, system, or principle. Also, in mathematics and computing, to an unlimited or unspecified extent or degree.
- In a way based on random choice, personal whim, or impulse rather than reason or principle.
- (Mathematics/computing) To an unlimited extent; without bound (e.g., "arbitrarily large").
"The committee rejected the proposal, dismissing the budget figures as arbitrarily chosen."
"The manager was accused of firing staff arbitrarily, without warning or explanation."
"The algorithm can handle input strings of arbitrarily great length."
In mathematics, "arbitrarily large" doesn't mean big by whim — it means there's no upper limit at all, a twist that surprises most people.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arbitrarily
"Arbitrarily" derives from the Latin "arbitrarius," meaning dependent on judgment or will, from "arbiter," one appointed to judge. It developed through the adjective "arbitrary" before emerging as its adverbial form in English usage. Its cognates include "arbiter," "arbitrate," and "arbitration," all tracing back to the same Latin root governing judgment and decision.
Related word forms
How arbitrarily is actually used
Often carries a negative connotation when describing decisions or actions, implying unfairness or abuse of power. In mathematical and technical contexts, however, it is neutral and simply denotes absence of a fixed limit. Formal register is typical; rarely used casually.
Easily confused with arbitrarily
"Randomly" implies chance or a random process, while "arbitrarily" in its main sense implies personal whim or lack of justification, often with a negative connotation of unfairness.