Which text uses the word random in its traditional sense?
At the grocery store, Erin hastily grabbed fruits and vegetables at random, filling her shopping cart with a hodgepodge of food. Erin made a random trip to the grocery store, though her kitchen was already stocked with a hodgepodge of food.
Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner.
When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences.
Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam.
The traditional usage above is considered more standard.
David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages.
The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it.
The second text uses random in its traditional sense: made or occurring without a definite pattern.
At the grocery store, Erin hastily grabbed fruits and vegetables at random, filling her shopping cart with a hodgepodge of food.
The first text uses random in its nontraditional sense: odd or out of place.
Erin made a random trip to the grocery store, though her kitchen was already stocked with a hodgepodge of food.
Most style guides recommend to avoid using the nontraditional sense of the word random because it is generally considered incorrect.