accidental

ac-ci-den-tal · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Happening by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly.

  2. 2.

    Occurring as a minor or secondary consequence.

  3. 3.

    (Music) Relating to a sharp, flat, or natural sign not in the key signature.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    accidental death — Death caused by unintentional injury.
  • •
    accidental damage — Unintended harm to property.
  • •
    accidental tourist — Someone who unintentionally becomes a tourist or explorer.

Related words

Antonyms: deliberate, intentional, planned
See also: accident, accidentally, unintentional
Synonyms: fortuitous, inadvertent, unintentional, unplanned

Etymology

From Latin accidentalis ("happening by chance"), from accidens ("happening, befalling"), present participle of accidere ("to happen"), from ad- ("to") + cadere ("to fall").