Haphazard — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun adverb /(ˌ)hap-ˈha-zərd/ hap·haz·ard

Meaning & Definition of Haphazard

Haphazard (adjective)

  1. marked by lack of plan, order, or direction

Haphazard (noun)

  1. chance

Haphazard (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern

    "considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good"

    similar: aimless, arbitrary, catch-as-catch-can, desultory, erratic, helter-skelter, hit-or-miss, random, scattered, slapdash, stray
    related: accidental, casual, chance, chancy, contingent, fluky, fortuitous, inadvertent, incidental, lucky, unconsidered, unintended, unintentional, unplanned, unpremeditated, scattershot, shotgun, irregular, odd, sporadic, spot, directionless, objectless, purposeless, indiscriminate, unsystematic, undirected, disorderly, disorganized, undiscriminating, unselective
    opposite: methodical, nonrandom, orderly, organized, regular, systematic, systematized
    near: established, fixed, regular, set, stable, steady, constant, continuous, even, arranged, managed, orchestrated, ordered, planned, aware, conscious, deliberate, purposeful, thoughtful, willful

Haphazard (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. without definite aim, direction, rule, or method

    "shoes were tossed haphazard into the closet"

    similar: aimlessly, anyhow, anyway, anywise, desultorily, erratically, haphazardly, helter-skelter, hit or miss, irregularly, randomly, willy-nilly, at random
    related: arbitrarily, capriciously, carelessly, casually, indiscriminately, informally, offhand, offhandedly, promiscuously, whimsically, accidentally, fortuitously, inadvertently, unconsciously, unintentionally, unwittingly, disconnectedly, disjointedly, fitfully, intermittently, spottily, unpredictably, higgledy-piggledy, topsy-turvy
    opposite: methodically, systematically
    near: carefully, formally, gingerly, meticulously, orderly, punctiliously, deliberately, intentionally, purposefully, purposely

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Haphazard

The most common words with a similar meaning to Haphazard:

aimless, arbitrary, catch-as-catch-can, desultory, erratic, helter-skelter, hit-or-miss, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, aimlessly, anyhow, anyway, anywise, desultorily, erratically, haphazardly, hit or miss, irregularly, randomly, willy-nilly, at random

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Haphazard

Words with the opposite meaning of Haphazard:

methodical, nonrandom, orderly, organized, regular, systematic, systematized, methodically, systematically

Related Words for Haphazard

accidental, casual, chance, chancy, contingent, fluky, fortuitous, inadvertent, incidental, lucky, unconsidered, unintended, unintentional, unplanned, unpremeditated, scattershot, shotgun, irregular, odd, sporadic, spot, directionless, objectless, purposeless, indiscriminate, unsystematic, undirected, disorderly, disorganized, undiscriminating

Near Antonyms of Haphazard

established, fixed, set, stable, steady, constant, continuous, even, arranged, managed, orchestrated, ordered, planned, aware, conscious, deliberate, purposeful, thoughtful, willful, carefully, formally, gingerly, meticulously, punctiliously, deliberately, intentionally, purposefully, purposely

Word Forms of Haphazard

Derived words: haphazard (adverb), haphazardly (adverb), haphazardness (noun), haphazardry (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Haphazard

hap:1 + hazard

First known use: 1576

Frequently Asked Questions about Haphazard

What does "Haphazard" mean?

"Haphazard" means marked by lack of plan, order, or direction. As an an adjective, a noun and an adverb, it is defined as: marked by lack of plan, order, or direction. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Haphazard"?

Other words for "Haphazard" include aimless, arbitrary, catch-as-catch-can, desultory, erratic, helter-skelter, hit-or-miss and random. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Haphazard" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Haphazard"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Haphazard". Common alternatives include aimless, arbitrary, catch-as-catch-can, desultory, erratic, helter-skelter, hit-or-miss, random, scattered and slapdash.

What is the opposite of "Haphazard"?

Antonyms of "Haphazard" include methodical, nonrandom, orderly, organized, regular, systematic, systematized and methodically. Near antonyms include established, fixed, set and stable.

How do you use "Haphazard" in a sentence?

Examples of "Haphazard" in a sentence: "considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good"; "shoes were tossed haphazard into the closet".

Is "Haphazard" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Haphazard" can be used as an adjective, a noun and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Haphazard"?

"Haphazard" is pronounced /(ˌ)hap-ˈha-zərd/ and divided into syllables as hap·haz·ard.

What is the origin of the word "Haphazard"?

"Haphazard" comes from hap:1 + hazard. First known use: 1576.