a esmo

Portuguese

Etymology

Literally, “at guess”.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /a ˈez.mu/

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /a ˈez.mu/
  • (Rio de Janeiro) IPA^(key): /a ˈeʒ.mu/
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /a ˈez.mo/

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ɐ ˈeʒ.mu/

Adverb

a esmo (comparable, comparative mais a esmo, superlative o mais a esmo)

1. with unpredictable outcomes; at random; randomly; haphazardly

   Synonyms: aleatoriamente, randomicamente, ao atá

   • 1975, Gilberto Gil, Dominguinhos, “Lamento Sertanejo”, in Refazenda (LP, K7), performed by Gilberto Gil, CBD Phonogram:

     Sou como rês desgarrada / Nessa multidão, boiada caminhando a esmo.

     I’m like a lost head of cattle / In this crowd, a herd walking aimlessly.

Further reading

• “a esmo”, in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Lisbon: Priberam, 2008–2026