inadvertently
Americanadverb
-
unintentionally; without meaning to.
I apologize to anyone I have inadvertently left off this list.
-
through lack of attention; without anyone noticing.
There is the potential for one set of rules to inadvertently replace another.
Etymology
Origin of inadvertently
Explanation
Inadvertently is an adverb that means "without knowledge or intent," like when you inadvertently take someone else's coat from the coatroom because it looks just like yours. When you do something inadvertently, you don't mean to do it — you might inadvertently step in a puddle, leave something important at home, or hurt your friend's feelings. Some things that happen inadvertently aren't mistakes, though: They happen by chance. For example, if you just happen to park your car at the exact place that blocks a bus from hitting a pedestrian, you've inadvertently saved a life.
Vocabulary lists containing inadvertently
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some local officials said they were holding back over concerns that they would inadvertently violate the rules for spending the money — and would then have to pay it back, creating significant financial risk.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
“These vary widely, underscoring the importance of understanding local laws if probate avoidance is a priority. Even a single missed step can inadvertently trigger probate.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 27, 2026
Steer clear of constant checking and tracking or intervening These may soothe you in the short term, but can inadvertently communicate to your young adult: "I am not sure you can cope without me."
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
"Simplified models can inadvertently strip away the very stabilizing effect we want to capture."
From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026
For every ambiguity that is inadvertently funny or ironic, there must be thousands that are simply confusing.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
