haphazard
/ˌhæpˈhæz.əd/
Group 9Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random GRE
Example in Context
The city's haphazard approach to zoning has produced a chaotic landscape of industrial sites wedged between residential neighborhoods.
Synonyms
messyrandomchaotic
Etymology
Luck leading to danger; an unpredictable or random arrangement.
- hap (Old Norse) — luck
- hazard (Old French) — danger
Memory Aid
🎲Sounds like “hap hazard”
Imagine rolling dice on a table and getting a HAPHAZARD explosion of chaos and snacks everywhere!
Visual Association
🎨A messy artist's studio with paint splatters, brushes everywhere, and random canvases stacked up.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “haphazard” mean on the GRE?
haphazard (adjective) means “Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random”. The city's haphazard approach to zoning has produced a chaotic landscape of industrial sites wedged between residential neighborhoods.
How to remember “haphazard” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “haphazard” sounds like “hap hazard”. Imagine rolling dice on a table and getting a HAPHAZARD explosion of chaos and snacks everywhere!
What are synonyms for “haphazard”?
Common synonyms: messy, random, chaotic.