What is arbitrary in English language?

adjective. subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one’s discretion: an arbitrary decision. decided by a judge or arbiter rather than by a law or statute.

What is an example of arbitrary?

Arbitrary is defined as something that is determined by judgment or whim and not for any specific reason or rule. An example of an arbitrary decision would be a decision to go to the beach, just because you feel like it. The diet imposes overall calorie limits, but daily menus are arbitrary.

What does Words are arbitrary mean?

Arbitrariness refers to the quality of “being determined by randomness and not for a specific reason.” Language consists of signifiers that represent the signified. But the signifier is not the signified. A signifier is a form such as a sound, morpheme, word, phrase, clause, or sign.

How do you use arbitrary in a sentence?

Arbitrary sentence example

1. The committee had arbitrary rules.
2. The assumption was arbitrary , based on no valid evidence.
3. Authoritarian parents may not understand the reasons behind the rules they make or communicate these underlying reasons to their children, making their commands seem arbitrary to their children.

Can a person be arbitrary?

arbitrary Add to list Share. Even though arbitrary comes from a word meaning “judge” (arbiter), that doesn’t mean judges are always fair. Calling a decision-maker arbitrary is usually a negative thing, suggesting the person is making rules based on whim rather than justice.

How can I use arbitrary in a sentence?

Arbitrary sentence example

• The committee had arbitrary rules.
• The assumption was arbitrary , based on no valid evidence.
• Authoritarian parents may not understand the reasons behind the rules they make or communicate these underlying reasons to their children, making their commands seem arbitrary to their children.

What is arbitrary sentence?

not done for any particular reason; chosen or done at random. Examples of Arbitrary in a sentence. 1. In spite of the cold weather, we made an arbitrary trip to the beach.

What makes something arbitrary?

Arbitrariness is the quality of being “determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle”. It is also used to refer to a choice made without any specific criterion or restraint. Arbitrary decisions are not necessarily the same as random decisions.

What is the difference between arbitrary and capricious?

What is the difference between arbitrary and capricious? In the field of Law, an Arbitrary decision is defined as a decision based on random choice or personal whim. Capricious means to be subject to whim; impulsive and unpredictable.

Is everything in life arbitrary?

According to nihilism, the universe contains no value and is essentially meaningless. Because the universe and all of its constituents contain no higher goal for us to make subgoals from, all aspects of human life and experiences are completely arbitrary.

What does the word arbitrary mean in English?

British English: arbitrary ADJECTIVE. If you describe an action, rule, or decision as arbitrary, you think that it is not based on any principle, plan, or system. Arbitrary arrests and detention without trial were common.

Which is a synonym for the word arbitrariness?

arbitrariness (ɑːʳbɪtrərinəs , US -trer-) uncountable noun. He is horrified by the apparent arbitrariness by which she sets the prices. Synonyms: dictatorialness, tyranny, despotism, dogmatism More Synonyms of arbitrary. Synonyms: randomness, inconsistency, subjectivity, wilfulness More Synonyms of arbitrary.

Is the selection of words in a dictionary arbitrary?

In fact the selection seems more arbitrary than this. Despite the rather arbitrary nature of the latter requirement, it makes perfect sense. Such choices are quite arbitrary, and cannot be the basis of a serious definition of language.

What is the legal definition of an arbitrary decision?

Legal Definition of arbitrary. Note: Under section 706 of the Administrative Procedure Act, a court shall set aside an agency’s action, findings, or conclusions determined upon review to be arbitrary.