accident

ac-ci-dent · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

  2. 2.

    An event that happens by chance or without apparent cause.

  3. 3.

    (Philosophy) A property or quality not essential to a substance or thing.

Forms

plural: accidents

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    by accident — Without intention; unintentionally.
  • •
    accident waiting to happen — A dangerous situation likely to cause problems.
  • •
    freak accident — An unusual accident caused by a strange combination of circumstances.
  • •
    industrial accident — An accident occurring in a workplace.
  • •
    traffic accident — A collision involving vehicles.
  • •
    have an accident — (Euphemism) To urinate or defecate involuntarily.
  • •
    accidents will happen — Misfortunes are inevitable.

Related words

Antonyms: design, intention, plan
See also: accidental, accidentally, crash, incident
Synonyms: crash, incident, misfortune, mishap

Etymology

From Old French accident, from Latin accidens ("happening, befalling"), present participle of accidere ("to happen, befall"), from ad- ("to") + cadere ("to fall").