Haphazardly: meaning, definitions and examples

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haphazardly

 

[ ˈhæpˌhæzərdli ]

Adverb / Adjective
Context #1 | Adverb

used in a sentence

In a manner lacking any obvious principle of organization.

Synonyms

carelessly, disorderly, randomly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
haphazardly

Best used when describing actions taken without any planning or organization, often leading to randomness.

  • The books were stacked haphazardly on the shelves, making it hard to find anything.
randomly

Used to describe actions or events that occur without any specific pattern, order, or reason.

  • He randomly chose a name from the list as the winner.
carelessly

Used when referring to actions done without attention or thought, sometimes resulting in mistakes or damage. It often has a negative connotation.

  • She carelessly left her phone on the bus and lost it.
disorderly

Used to describe a situation or place that is chaotic, not organized, or messy. It can also refer to unruly behavior.

  • The room was left in a disorderly state after the party.

Examples of usage

  • She had scattered the books haphazardly on the floor.
  • The files were arranged haphazardly in no particular order.
Context #2 | Adjective

used in a sentence

Characterized by lack of order or planning, by irregularity, or by randomness; determined by or dependent on chance.

Synonyms

chaotic, disorderly, random.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
haphazardly

Used to describe an action done carelessly, without planning or organization.

  • He threw his clothes haphazardly into the suitcase
  • The books were arranged haphazardly on the shelf
random

Indicates actions or selections made without a specific pattern, purpose, or reason.

  • She chose a book at random from the shelf
  • The numbers were generated in a random manner
disorderly

Describes a lack of organization, often implying a visible mess or disruption. Can have a mild negative connotation.

  • The children left the room in a disorderly state
  • His desk was always disorderly, cluttered with papers and books
chaotic

Describes a situation or environment that is extremely disorganized and confusing.

  • The city was chaotic after the storm
  • The office becomes chaotic when deadlines approach

Examples of usage

  • The haphazard arrangement of the furniture made the room feel cluttered.
  • The haphazard selection of colors in the painting gave it a chaotic feel.

Translations

Translations of the word "haphazardly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 de forma aleatória

🇮🇳 बेतरतीबी से

🇩🇪 planlos

🇮🇩 dengan sembarangan

🇺🇦 випадково

🇵🇱 przypadkowo

🇯🇵 行き当たりばったりに

🇫🇷 au hasard

🇪🇸 de manera desordenada

🇹🇷 gelişigüzel

🇰🇷 무작위로

🇸🇦 بشكل عشوائي

🇨🇿 nahodile

🇸🇰 náhodne

🇨🇳 随意地

🇸🇮 naključno

🇮🇸 tilviljunarkennt

🇰🇿 кездейсоқ

🇬🇪 შემთხვევით

🇦🇿 təsadüfi

🇲🇽 de manera desordenada

Etymology

The word 'haphazardly' originated from the combination of 'hap' meaning 'chance' or 'luck' and 'hazard' meaning 'risk' or 'danger'. It first appeared in the English language in the 16th century, evolving from the idea of something happening by chance or without a specific plan. Over time, 'haphazardly' has come to describe actions, arrangements, or situations that lack order, organization, or planning.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,557, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.