What does nonrandom mean?
Nonrandom describes something that is not governed by chance but instead follows a recognizable pattern, system, or selection process. The term is especially common in research and statistics, where a nonrandom sample or assignment may differ systematically from a population or from other observations. It can also describe regularities discovered in data: a nonrandom pattern suggests that some underlying factor may influence outcomes. Because nonrandom does not necessarily mean biased, careless, or deliberately unfair, it should not automatically carry those stronger negative connotations. Its core distinction is between outcomes governed by a nonrandom selection or ordering and those arising by chance. The word is most useful when precision matters and merely saying patterned, structured, or deliberate could obscure the specific idea that chance is absent.
adjectiveNot random; determined by a pattern, system, or selection process rather than chance.
- Not random; systematic, patterned, or produced through selection rather than chance.
- Not evenly or indiscriminately distributed or selected.
"The researchers used a nonrandom sample to ensure that every age group was represented."
"The apparent decline followed a nonrandom pattern across the survey sites."
"Participants were assigned to groups through a nonrandom procedure that favored existing volunteers."
Nonrandom turns chance into a suspect: if a pattern repeats, the randomness may be the story.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of nonrandom
Nonrandom is an English compound formed by combining the productive prefix non- with random. It developed as a term for outcomes, distributions, or assignments that are not determined by chance. The second element, random, is an English word whose older etymology is uncertain and has been the subject of several competing proposals. The related forms randomly, randomize, and randomness all share the same source word.
How nonrandom is actually used
Chiefly used in academic, scientific, statistical, and formal contexts. It is sometimes spelled as a closed compound, though hyphenation can clarify the prefix in longer constructions.