- 1(of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system, or plan and sometimes seeming unfair The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary. He makes unpredictable, arbitrary decisions.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2(formal) using power without restriction and without considering other people the arbitrary powers of officials
NAmE//ˌɑrbəˈtrɛrəli//
adverb The leaders of the groups were chosen arbitrarily. The political frontiers in Africa were often arbitrarily drawn up by the old colonial powers. NAmE//ˈɑrbəˌtrɛrinəs//
noun [uncountable] Court officials were suspected of arbitrariness and personal bias.See arbitrary in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: arbitrary