haphazard
/hæpˈhæzəd/ (bre, ipa) · /hæpˈhæzərd/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)hap-ˈha-zərd/ (ame, mw)
haphazard — adjective
- haphazardpositive
- more haphazardcomparative
- most haphazardsuperlative
1. done in a messy, poorly organized way instead of following a clear plan
done in a messy, poorly organized way instead of following a clear plan
The files were stored in a haphazard order across three old boxes.
haphazard + order
Linh made a haphazard list and forgot half the food items.
haphazard + list
After the storm, workers left cones in a haphazard line along the road.
The room looked haphazard, with shoes under chairs and papers on plates.
A haphazard search of the drawer missed the passport again.
- random
can mean chosen by chance, while haphazard often suggests poor organization too
- disorganized
describes lack of order, but not always the careless process behind it
- slapdash
more informal and more strongly suggests rushed, careless work
- orderly
shows clear arrangement and control
- systematic
stresses a methodical plan rather than a messy approach
文法句型
haphazard arrangement
haphazard search
haphazard way
用法筆記
Common before nouns such as arrangement, search, approach, or way. It can also follow a linking verb to describe something that looks or feels badly organized, and it usually suggests criticism rather than neutral randomness.
常見錯誤
haphazard — noun
1. mere chance or accident, without anyone planning the result
mere chance or accident, without anyone planning the result
The result was pure haphazard, not a choice the team had planned.
pure haphazard
Their meeting came by haphazard after both trains stopped at Chiayi.
by haphazard
By haphazard, an old map reached the museum after the house sale.
After weeks of searching, finding the ring was mere haphazard.
文法句型
by haphazard
pure haphazard
mere haphazard
用法筆記
This noun is rare and somewhat literary. It most often appears in phrases such as by haphazard or pure haphazard, and everyday English usually prefers by chance or by accident.