What Does ‘Arbitrary’ Mean? SAT Vocabulary Explained
Learn the definition, usage, and origins of ‘arbitrary’ for your SAT prep. Discover how this adjective describes random or whimsical decisions, and avoid common mistakes in its application. Perfect for enhancing your vocabulary and reasoning skills for the SAT.
Imagine you’re at an ice cream shop, faced with 31 flavors. You close your eyes, point randomly, and declare, “I’ll have that one!”
That’s an arbitrary decision. Today, we’re exploring the word arbitrary, an important term for your SAT vocabulary.
Word type: Arbitrary is an adjective.
Meaning: Arbitrary means based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
It describes decisions or actions that seem unpredictable, unreasonable, or made without careful judgment.
Word history: The word arbitrary comes from the Latin arbitrarius, meaning depending on the will or judgment of an arbiter or judge.
It entered the English language in the fifteenth century and has since been used to describe actions or decisions that seem capricious or without solid foundation.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of arbitrary include reasoned, logical, systematic, and planned.
Synonyms: Synonyms for arbitrary include random, capricious, whimsical, subjective, and haphazard.
Examples use in sentences: The teacher’s arbitrary seating arrangement left some students confused about the reasoning behind it.
The jury felt that the judge’s ruling was arbitrary and not based on the evidence presented. Many people consider the traditional rule of not wearing white after Labor Day to be arbitrary and outdated.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing arbitrary with strict or harsh. While an arbitrary decision can be strict, not all strict decisions are arbitrary.
Another error is using arbitrary to describe something that’s simply unfair or unjust. Arbitrary specifically refers to decisions made without reason or system, not necessarily unfair ones.
To recap, arbitrary describes actions or decisions made randomly or on a whim, without clear reasoning.
It stems from Latin, relating to the will of a judge. Remember, on the SAT, you might encounter this word in contexts involving decision-making processes, rules, or systems that lack logical foundations.
By understanding arbitrary, you’re better equipped to analyze arguments and identify flaws in reasoning, key skills for the SAT.
