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arbitrary

Adjective

IPA /ˈɑːbɪtrəri/

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Meaning in plain English

Based on someone's choice or chance rather than a clear reason, rule or fair system.

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Pronunciation

arbitrary/ˈɑːbɪtrəri/

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The landlord's arbitrary restrictions left us unsure what was allowed.
Students questioned the arbitrary limit of three sources per essay.

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The landlord's ________ restrictions left us unsure what was allowed.

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arbitrary — Based on someone's choice or chance rather than a clear reason, rule or fair system.

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Based on someone's choice or chance rather than a clear reason, rule or fair system.

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Word origin

From Latin arbitrarius, meaning depending on judgement, related to arbiter, a judge.

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An arbitrary decision or an arbitrary rule may seem to have no sensible justification.

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