# random vs ransom

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### random
*noun · IPA /ˈɹændəm/ · frequency rank #2,590*
A roving motion; course without definite direction; lack of rule or method; chance.

### ransom
*noun · IPA /ˈɹæn.səm/ · frequency rank #11,588*
Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/random-vs-ransom