1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A random sample or method is one in which all the people or things involved have an equal chance of being chosen. □ The survey used a random sample of two thousand people across England and Wales. □ The competitors will be subject to random drug testing. ● ran|dom|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …interviews with a randomly selected sample of thirty girls aged between 13 and 18.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe events as random , you mean that they do not seem to follow a definite plan or pattern. □ …random violence against innocent victims. ● ran|dom|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …drinks and magazines left scattered randomly around.
3 PHRASE If you choose people or things at random , you do not use any particular method, so they all have an equal chance of being chosen. □ We received several answers, and we picked one at random.
4 PHRASE If something happens at random , it happens without a definite plan or pattern. □ Three people were killed by shots fired at random from a minibus.
ran|dom|ize /ræ ndəma I z/ (randomizes , randomizing , randomized ) in BRIT, also use randomise VERB If you randomize the events or people in scientific experiments or academic research, you use a method that gives them all an equal chance of happening or being chosen. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] The wheel is designed with obstacles in the ball's path to randomise its movement. □ [V -ed] Properly randomized studies are only now being completed.
R & R /ɑː r ən ɑː r/ also R and R
1 N‑UNCOUNT R & R refers to time that you spend relaxing, when you are not working. R & R is an abbreviation for 'rest and recreation'. [mainly AM ] □ Winter spas are now the smart set's choice for serious R & R.
2 N‑UNCOUNT R & R refers to time that members of the armed forces spend relaxing, away from their usual duties. R & R is an abbreviation for 'rest and recuperation'. [AM ] □ Twenty-five years ago Pattaya was a sleepy fishing village. Then it was discovered by American soldiers on R & R from Vietnam.
randy /ræ ndi/ (randier , randiest ) ADJ Someone who is randy is sexually excited and eager to have sex. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It was extremely hot and I was feeling rather randy.
rang /ræ ŋ/ Rang is the past tense of ring .
range ◆◆◇ /re I ndʒ/ (ranges , ranging , ranged )
1 N‑COUNT A range of things is a number of different things of the same general kind. □ [+ of ] A wide range of colours and patterns are available. □ [+ of ] The two men discussed a range of issues.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A range is the complete group that is included between two points on a scale of measurement or quality. □ The average age range is between 35 and 55. □ …properties available in the price range they are looking for.
3 N‑COUNT The range of something is the maximum area in which it can reach things or detect things. □ [+ of ] The 120mm mortar has a range of 18,000 yards.
4 VERB If things range between two points or range from one point to another, they vary within these points on a scale of measurement or quality. □ [V from n to n] They range in price from $3 to $15. □ [V from n to n] …offering merchandise ranging from the everyday to the esoteric. □ [V + between ] …temperatures ranging between 5°C and 20°C.
5 N‑COUNT A range of mountains or hills is a line of them. □ …the massive mountain ranges to the north.
6 N‑COUNT A rifle range or a shooting range is a place where people can practise shooting at targets. □ It reminds me of my days on the rifle range preparing for duty in Vietnam.
7 N‑COUNT A range or kitchen range is an old-fashioned metal cooker. [BRIT ]
8 N‑COUNT A range or kitchen range is a large metal device for cooking food using gas or electricity. A range consists of a grill, an oven, and some gas or electric rings. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use cooker 9 → see also free-range
10 PHRASE If something is in range or within range , it is near enough to be reached or detected. If it is out of range , it is too far away to be reached or detected. □ Cars are driven through the mess, splashing everyone in range. □ …a base within range of enemy missiles. □ The fish stayed 50 yards offshore, well out of range.
11 PHRASE If you see or hit something at close range or from close range , you are very close to it when you see it or hit it. If you do something at a range of half a mile, for example, you are half a mile away from it when you do it. □ He was shot in the head at close range. □ The enemy opened fire at a range of only 20 yards.
range|finder /re I ndʒfa I ndə r / (rangefinders ) N‑COUNT A rangefinder is an instrument, usually part of a camera or a piece of military equipment, that measures the distance between things that are far away from each other.
rang|er /re I ndʒə r / (rangers ) N‑COUNT A ranger is a person whose job is to look after a forest or large park. □ Bill Justice is a park ranger at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
rangy /re I ndʒi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or animal as rangy , you mean that they have long, thin, powerful legs. [WRITTEN ] □ …a tall, rangy, redheaded girl.
rank ◆◇◇ /ræ ŋk/ (ranker , rankest , ranks , ranking , ranked )