accident

[ ak-si-duhnt ]

noun

1. an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap:

   automobile accidents.

   Synonyms: disaster, contingency, misadventure, misfortune, mischance

2. Law. such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.
3. any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.
4. chance; fortune; luck:

   I was there by accident.

   Antonyms: intent, design

5. a fortuitous circumstance, quality, or characteristic:

   an accident of birth.

6. Philosophy. any entity or event contingent upon the existence of something else.
7. Geology. a surface irregularity, usually on a small scale, the reason for which is not apparent.

accident

/ ˈæksɪdənt /

noun

1. an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause
2. anything that occurs unintentionally or by chance; chance; fortune

   I met him by accident

3. a misfortune or mishap, esp one causing injury or death
4. Also calledadjunct logic philosophy a nonessential attribute or characteristic of something (as opposed to substance)
5. metaphysics a property as contrasted with the substance in which it inheres
6. geology a surface irregularity in a natural formation, esp in a rock formation or a river system

Other Words From

• post·ac·ci·dent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accident¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin accident-, stem of accidēns “happening,” present participle of accidere “to befall, happen,” from ac- ac- + -cidere, combining form of cadere “to fall”

Word History and Origins

Origin of accident¹

C14: via Old French from Latin accident- chance, happening, from the present participle of accidere to befall, happen, from ad- to + cadere to fall

Example Sentences

Following the accident, a JustGiving page was set up for the families.

From BBC

However, he and team-mate George Russell had a series of accidents in the US Grand Prix last month and Hamilton was unhappy with the handling of his car in Brazil.

From BBC

Mastin’s story is a powerful one: She became a widow at age 27 when her husband — whom she’d married right out of high school — died as the result of a workplace accident.

From Los Angeles Times

Fatal overdose, especially from fentanyl, continues to be the leading cause of death among people aged 18 to 45 in the U.S., surpassing deaths from suicide and car accidents.

From Salon

It comes as figures from the Department of Transport show a 45% increase since 2010 in the number of motorists aged over 70 who have been hurt or killed in accidents in the UK.

From BBC

Related Words

• calamity
• casualty
• disaster
• hazard
• mishap
• pileup
• setback