inadvertently

American  

[in-uhd-vur-tnt-lee] / ˌɪn ədˈvɜr tnt li /

adverb

1. unintentionally; without meaning to.

   I apologize to anyone I have inadvertently left off this list.

2. through lack of attention; without anyone noticing.

   There is the potential for one set of rules to inadvertently replace another.

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Etymology

Origin of inadvertently

inadvertent ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Example Sentences

Asked whether he might have inadvertently misled the Commons about what happened, he replied "no".

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Early in their 1978 film debut, “Up in Smoke,” comedy duo Cheech & Chong inadvertently expose a bit of systemic corruption.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

After the ghostly reflection of Frank Silva, a prop man, was inadvertently caught on camera, Lynch was inspired and cast Silva as the embodiment of insoluble evil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“The notion that they inadvertently failed to add reports to this case is just not compelling to this court. This is something that should have been looked at and it wasn’t.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Another favorite described how he inadvertently bedded down beside five hibernating bears in a Canadian cave.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• negligently
• recklessly