Pronunciation: [ˈɑːbɪtɹəɹi] (IPA) 
Arbitrary is a word that can be tricky to spell. It means based on random choice or whim instead of any reason or system. The IPA phonetic transcription for arbitrary is / ˈɑːbɪtrəri / . The spelling can be broken down into four parts: "a" and "r" together make the "ar" sound, followed by the "bit" sound, and then ending with the "rary" sound. Remembering this breakdown of the sounds can help simplify the spelling of arbitrary.
Arbitrary is an adjective that refers to something based on individual discretion or personal choice rather than any objective reason or logical basis. It is used to describe actions, decisions, or rules that are determined in an arbitrary manner, lacking any clear criteria or guidelines.
When something is considered arbitrary, it implies that it is subjective or random, and may appear unfair or unjustified to others. An arbitrary decision or rule often appears to be made without careful consideration or rational justification, as it is primarily based on the preferences, whims, or prejudices of an individual or a small group of people.
The term can be applied in various contexts, such as arbitrary rules set by an authoritarian government, arbitrary exercise of power by an individual, or arbitrary judgments made by a person without factual evidence. In law, an arbitrary action often refers to an action that exceeds the bounds of legal authority or that is inconsistent with established laws.
However, it is important to note that the perception of something as arbitrary can be subjective, as different individuals may have varying opinions on what constitutes a logical or fair decision. Nonetheless, the term "arbitrary" generally suggests a lack of objective reasoning, indicating that the decision, action, or rule is capricious or ungrounded in logic.
Despotic; tyrannical; guided by will only.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "arbitrary" comes from the Latin word "arbitrarius", which means "depending on the judgment of an arbiter". The Latin term "arbitrarius" originates from the noun "arbiter", meaning "judge" or "decision-maker", which itself comes from the verb "adiri" meaning "to come to, arrive at". Ultimately, "arbitrary" derives from the idea of a decision being made by an impartial judge or arbiter.
