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Arbitrary vs Whim - What's the difference?

arbitrary | whim |

As an adjective arbitrary

is (usually|of a decision) based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.

As a noun arbitrary

is anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

arbitrary

English

Adjective

(arbitrariness) (en adjective)
  • (usually, of a decision) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
  • Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary . In fact, electrons flow in the opposite direction to conventional current.
    The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary , as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.
  • Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.
  • "The Russian trials were Stalin's purges, with which he attempted to consolidate his power. Like most people in the West, I believed these show trials to be the arbitrary acts of a cruel dictator." ( Max Born, Letters to Einstein)
  • (mathematics) Any and all possible.
  • The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.
  • Determined by independent arbiter.
  • To secure food safety, there should first be a national standard to arbitrarily state what is wholesome and what is not; second, the final buyer should know exactly what he is purchasing. ( The World's Work ...: a history of our time)

    Noun

    (arbitraries)
  • Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.
  • whim

    English

    (wikipedia whim)

    Etymology 1

    Apocopal derivation of "whim-wham."

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fanciful impulse, or whimsical idea
  • * Churchill
  • Let every man enjoy his whim .
  • (mining) A large capstan or vertical drum turned by horse power or steam power, for raising ore or water, etc., from mines, or for other purposes
  • Synonyms
    * (fancy) lark, especially in phrase on a whim
    Derived terms
    * on a whim * whim gin * whim shaft * whimsical

    Etymology 2

    Compare whimbrel.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A bird, the European widgeon.