WordGarden.ioaccidental
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌæksɪdˈɛntəl/
US
- /ˌæksəˈdɛnəl/
Meanings
Adjective
happening by chance or without intention
Noun
a sharp, flat, or natural sign that changes a written note's pitch
Beyond the definition
Something accidental isn't on purpose – it just… happens! Think of accidentally bumping into someone in a crowded hallway, or making an accidental discovery while cleaning out the attic. It's the opposite of deliberate or intentional. Sometimes the results are minor and even funny, like spilling your coffee. Other times they can be serious, but the key is that there was no intention behind them. A detective might investigate whether a death was accidental or something more sinister. The word often carries a sense of unexpectedness. In more formal writing, it can also mean "not essential"—a side feature rather than a core one.
The word accidental describes something that happens by chance, without being planned or intended. It implies a lack of control or foresight. While we often associate it with mishaps – an accidental spill, an accidental phone call – it can also describe fortunate occurrences. A scientist might make an accidental discovery while researching something else entirely, leading to a breakthrough.
The context is important. An accidental error in a calculation could ruin a project, but an accidental meeting with an old friend could be delightful. It's different from "intentional" or "deliberate." You wouldn't say you accidentally decided to go to the movies – you either went on purpose or didn't!
The word functions as an adjective, describing a noun (an accidental consequence). It conveys the same meaning as the phrase "by accident," indicating that an event occurred unintentionally. Consider the story of penicillin: Alexander Fleming didn't set out to discover antibiotics; it was an accidental result of leaving a Petri dish uncovered. Sometimes, the most amazing things happen when we least expect them – and that's the power of the accidental.
In some academic or formal contexts, accidental can also mean "not essential" or "incidental": an accidental detail is one that could change without changing the main point. And in music, an accidental is a symbol (like ♯, ♭, or ♮) that temporarily changes a note's pitch.
Examples
- 1
Digital messages
One accidental tap can send the email before you're ready.
- 2
Fire investigation
The fire was ruled accidental, not deliberate.
- 3
Insurance coverage
Our insurance covers accidental damage to the screen.
- 4
Scientific discovery
The scientists made an accidental discovery while studying the virus.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Unplanned leadership
She became an accidental leader after everyone else stepped back.
- Phrasean accidental leader
someone who becomes a leader without planning to
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- accidental death
- accidental damage
- accidental discovery
- purely accidental
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- accidentalnounadjective
Forms
- accidentalspluralnounadjective