random
/ˈɹændəm/
adjective
Common
1.adj.lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
“a random choice”
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random and ransom differ by a single letter, buried far enough into the word to be easy to miss. random means “lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance”. ransom means “money demanded for the return of a captured person”.
/ˈɹændəm/
1.adj.lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
“a random choice”
/ˈɹænsəm/
1.n.money demanded for the return of a captured person
2.n.payment for the release of someone
3.n.the act of freeing from captivity or punishment
| random | ransom | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɹændəm/ | /ˈɹænsəm/ |
| Said | RAN-duhm | RAN-suhm |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | adjective | noun, verb |
| Senses | 1 | 4 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | ransom money |
Full entry for random · Full entry for ransom · More comparisons