In English, arbitrary first meant “depending upon choice or discretion” and was specifically used to indicate the sort of decision (as for punishment) left up to the expert determination of a judge …

ARBITRARY definition: 1. based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason: 2. using unlimited personal power…. Learn more.

Arbitrary definition: subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion.. See examples of ARBITRARY used in a sentence.

Something that's arbitrary seems like it's chosen at random instead of following a consistent rule. Team members would dislike their coach using a totally arbitrary method to pick starting players.

If you describe an action, rule, or decision as arbitrary, you think that it is not based on any principle, plan, or system. It often seems unfair because of this.

1. subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion: an arbitrary decision. 2. decided by a judge or arbiter rather than by a law or statute. 3. having …

Definition of arbitrary adjective from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. (of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system, or plan and sometimes …