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

It means replicating a test, over and over, to prove that the results weren’t an accident.

From Slate

Jeremy Renner’s return to “Mayor of Kingstown” after his near-deadly accident was not a forgone conclusion, but he says thanks to a collective of people, he’s back for Season 3.

From Los Angeles Times

The accident occurred on New Year’s Day 2023 while he was clearing the driveway at his home in Nevada.

From Los Angeles Times

Crediting his recovery to a positive attitude, his doctors and family, he returned to acting shortly after the one-year anniversary of the accident and starred this year in the third season of “Mayor of Kingstown.”

From Los Angeles Times

Fourteen safety issues directly contributed to the accident, including there being "no shared understanding" of a plan between the two boats.

From BBC

Related Words

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