How to get a Random word from a list of words in Python?

In this article, I provide a Python code snippet showing how to generate a random word from a predefined list. This example showcases the use of the random module to select a word at random, making it a valuable resource for Python developers looking to enhance their coding skills.

Let's assume we have an array of various English words. Our goal is to extract a random word from this list and print it. Sounds simple, right? Let's get started.

Example:

Here's the code.

import random

words = ['abacus', 'abandon', 'brain', 'brake', 'branch', 'crazy', 
        'cream', 'create', 'doctor', 'document', 'documentary']
random_word = random.choice(words)

print(random_word)      # Output: a random word like "document" or "crazy".

I am using VS Code (or Visual Studio Code) to test the above code. You can use any other editor.

random module example in python

Here's how it works.

First, I am importing the random module. Its a built-in module that you can use to generate random numbers. For example, to generate a random floating number I can use the "random" module with the "random()" method like this.

import random
print(random.random())		# Output: some random number between 0.0 to 1.0

The "random" module has a collection of other methods. The one that I have used in the first example above, is the choice() method.

random_word = random.choice(words)

Syntax of choice() method

random.choice(sequence)

The "choice()" method returns a single random element (in our case a word) from a given list (an array). The method takes a parameter in form a sequence of elements (string or numbers). It takes a parameter called "sequence". The sequence can a list (like an array), a string or a sentence.

Here's another example using the "choice()" method. It returns a random character from a string.

import random

str = "arun banik"
print(random.choice(str))	 # Output: A random character (like a or n).

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