random meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

"random meeting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an unexpected or unplanned meeting with someone. For example, "I ran into an old friend at a random meeting today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We will still have sex for pleasure, but we will almost certainly see our children as too important to leave to a random meeting of sperm and egg".

The New York Times - Magazine

Written in alternating chapters (Green's are the odd-numbered ones), it builds toward the random meeting of two teenagers named Will Grayson.

The New York Times - Books

A menacing encounter between a man and a woman in "Baader-Meinhof" (2002) also begins with a seemingly random meeting; in this case, the mise-en-scène is an art gallery featuring a series of disturbing paintings of those 1960s-'70s-era German terrorists.

The New York Times - Books

I've actually been using Onavo for weeks, since a trip to Tel Aviv and a random meeting with Rosen.

TechCrunch

Also, assume that player i considers establishing a link to player j in the next random meeting.

Computational Social Networks

And Mills's journey from recreational skier to one of Paralympic potential would perhaps not have started without a random meeting.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Other special occasions include any vaguely celebratory nights out, random meetings at work or returns to New York from nonshaving vacations.

The New York Times - Travel

Most seemed shallow connections, and the excuse for connecting was that random meetings, mutual friendships or past jobs inflated my friend count.

The Guardian - Tech

The jacuzzis, one assumes, are less fruitful sites for random meetings, if only because there are just too many of them.And so to disembark.

The Economist

Stairwells are positioned to land at hubs with coffee stations, copy machines and informal furniture groupings, so that employees from disparate departments can enjoy random meetings.

The New York Times

It is more efficient than random meetings in a bar, and no one is asking, "Come here often?" So it may seem strange that the leading online personals company, Match.com, has started a new $25-a-month 25-a-monthon service -- to meet random people in bars.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "random meeting" when you want to emphasize the unplanned or accidental nature of an encounter. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "random meeting" is acceptable, consider alternatives like "chance encounter" or "unplanned meeting" in highly formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "random meeting" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "random meeting" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that effectively describes an unplanned or chance encounter. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it finds applications in both informal and formal contexts, though alternatives may be preferred for highly formal writing. It frequently appears in news reports and scientific publications, reflecting its versatility across diverse communication settings. When choosing the phrase, consider the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Chance encounter

Focuses on the accidental nature of the meeting.

Accidental encounter

Highlights the lack of planning in the meeting.

Coincidental meeting

Similar to 'chance encounter', emphasizing the simultaneous occurrence.

Unexpected encounter

Focuses on the surprise aspect of the meeting.

Serendipitous encounter

Highlights the fortunate or pleasant surprise element of the meeting.

Fortuitous gathering

Emphasizes the positive or lucky aspect of the unplanned meeting.

Unplanned rendezvous

Suggests a meeting that was not scheduled.

Haphazard meetup

Underscores the disorganized or unstructured nature of the meeting.

Impromptu get-together

Highlights the spontaneous nature of the meeting.

Casual gathering

Indicates a relaxed and informal meeting.

FAQs

What does "random meeting" mean?

A "random meeting" refers to an encounter that happens unexpectedly or without prior planning. It suggests that the meeting was not scheduled or arranged in advance.

What can I say instead of "random meeting"?

You can use alternatives like "chance encounter", "accidental encounter", or "unexpected encounter" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "random meeting" formal or informal?

The phrase "random meeting" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more sophisticated synonyms.

How to use "random meeting" in a sentence?

You can use "random meeting" in sentences like: "Our collaboration started with a "chance meeting" at a conference", or "I had a "random meeting" with an old classmate at the grocery store".