arbitrary

Academic Word List, sublist 8.

About 12.76 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.

   Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary.

2. adjective Determined by impulse rather than reason; often connoting heavy-handedness.
3. adjective Any, out of all that are possible.

   The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.

4. adjective Determined by independent arbiter.
5. adjective Not representative or symbolic; not iconic.
6. noun Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

Similar words

discretionary discretional impulsive capricious absolute whimsical peremptory judgmental optional wilfully

Often followed by

and power or in government will number rule units

Word family

arbitrarily arbitrariness arbitrarinesses