WordGarden.ioaccidentally
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌæksɪdˈɛntəli/
US
- /ˌæksəˈdɛnəli/
Meanings
Adverb
by accident or without intending to
Beyond the definition
Ever tripped while walking and bumped into someone? You probably did it accidentally – meaning it wasn't planned! "Accidentally" describes how something happens without intention, often resulting from a slip-up or an unexpected event. It's different from doing something deliberately; you accidentally spill your coffee, but you intentionally choose to drink it. Sometimes "accidentally" implies a small mistake, like accidentally sending an email to the wrong person. Other times, it can describe a larger, unforeseen incident. Think of a scientist accidentally discovering penicillin – a happy accident that changed medicine forever!
The word "accidentally" describes something done without intention or planning; it happens by chance or as a result of an unexpected event. It's formed from the adjective "accidental" plus "-ly," so it literally means "in an accidental way."
"Accidentally" can be used in many contexts, from minor mishaps to significant occurrences. You might accidentally delete an important file on your computer (a frustrating accident!), or a chef might accidentally create a delicious new dish while experimenting with ingredients (a fortunate one!). It emphasizes the lack of deliberate action – you didn't mean for it to happen.
The nuance is important: if you break a vase because you were angry, that's not accidental; it was intentional. But if you trip and knock it over, that is accidental.
You can also use "accidentally" to describe how something happened to someone else. "She accidentally locked herself out of the house" means she didn't mean to lock herself out (for example, she left her keys inside). It's a word we use constantly to explain away little mistakes and unexpected turns of events – those moments when things just… happen!
Examples
- 1
Everyday mistake
I accidentally left my keys on the bus.
- 2
Digital message
She accidentally sent the message to the whole team.
- 3
Locked out
We accidentally locked ourselves out of the apartment.
- Phraselock yourself out
make it impossible to get back in
- 4
Group chat
He was accidentally added to the group chat.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
File deletion
I accidentally deleted the file before saving it.
- 6
Revealing secret
She accidentally let slip that they were getting married.
- Phraselet slip
say something without meaning to
- 7
Pretended accident
He accidentally-on-purpose left his jacket at her place so he would have a reason to come back.
- Phraseaccidentally on purpose
pretending something was an accident when it was really planned
See also
Similar
- unintentionally
- by accident
- inadvertently
Shades of meaning
- mistakenly
- unwittingly
- by chance
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- accidentally deleted
- accidentally hit
- accidentally left
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- accidentallyadverb