Skip to content

aléatoire

random, unpredictable

adjective ah-leh-ah-TWAR Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Manner

Origin: Latin aleatorius (of dice), from alea (die, chance)

Usage Note

Aléatoire is invariable for gender, since it ends in -e. In mathematics and computing it is the standard term for 'random' — nombre aléatoire (random number), tirage aléatoire (random draw). It carries a nuance of unpredictability rather than mere chance, distinguishing it from hasardeux which implies risk or danger.

Examples

"Le tirage est entierement aleatoire."

Natural Translation

The draw is entirely random.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore French by topic