German word

beliebig

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈliːbɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectiveany

Example

Du kannst eine beliebige Farbe wählen.

You can choose any color.

Illustration for beliebig (any)

More examples

Die Aufgaben können in beliebiger Reihenfolge erledigt werden.

The tasks can be completed in any order.

Core concept

A hand selects one item from an open row of options, with no rule favoring one item over another.

Common phrases

  • in beliebiger Reihenfolge

    in any order

  • beliebig viele Dateien

    any number of files

Similar words

frei: Free to choose or use without outside control or restriction.
wahlfrei: Giving complete freedom to choose among the available options.
auswählbar: Possible to select from a range of available options.

Definition in German

aus mehreren Möglichkeiten ohne bestimmte Regel frei auswählbar

Word origin

Beliebig developed from Middle High German belîbic, based on belîben, 'to please', with the adjective suffix -ig.

Usage tips

  • Beliebig often signals permission to choose freely, whereas irgendein usually identifies an unspecified member without stressing free choice.

Other meanings

  • whicheverpronoun
  • arbitrarilyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Beliebigkeitarbitrarinessnoun
  • beliebigerweisearbitrarilyadverb

Word lists with this word