inadvertent

American  

[in-uhd-vur-tnt] / ˌɪn ədˈvɜr tnt /

adjective

1. unintentional.

   an inadvertent insult.

2. not attentive; heedless.

   Synonyms:

   inattentive

3. of, relating to, or characterized by lack of attention.

   Synonyms:

   negligent , careless , thoughtless

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inadvertent British  

/ ˌɪnədˈvɜːtənt /

adjective

1. failing to act carefully or considerately; inattentive

2. resulting from heedless action; unintentional

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Other Word Forms

• inadvertently adverb

Etymology

Origin of inadvertent

First recorded in 1645–55; abstracted from inadvertence, inadvertency

Example Sentences

“We feel very comfortable that this isn’t an issue with inadvertent manipulation of fuel control,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her letting agent said an oversight meant it never applied for the licence on her behalf but Reeves said she took full responsibility and apologised for the "inadvertent mistake".

From BBC

Although one line on the mortgage application for the Atlanta condo listed the property as a primary residence, other records show that this “was at most an inadvertent notation,” Lowell said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Overt social and political sentiment have been either inadvertent or unavoidable in previous Burns series—“Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson” and “The Vietnam War” being examples of the latter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reeves has apologised for the "inadvertent mistake" but said she accepted full responsibility.

From BBC

Related Words

• careless
• reckless
• unintended
• unintentional
• unwitting