accidentally

[ ak-si-den-tl-ee ]

adverb

1. by chance or mistake; in a way that is not planned or intended:

   If you break your key, whether accidentally or on purpose, there is a $40 charge to replace it.

2. in a nonessential or subsidiary way; incidentally:

   Philosophy is essentially a vocation, and only accidentally a profession.

Other Word Forms

• non·ac·ci·den·tal·ly adverb
• pre·ac·ci·den·tal·ly adverb
• pseu·do·ac·ci·den·tal·ly adverb
• qua·si-ac·ci·den·tal·ly adverb
• un·ac·ci·den·tal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of accidentally¹

accidental ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

A primary school teacher who accidentally showed a film clip containing blackface to a class of Year 5 pupils has been found to have behaved inappropriately.

From BBC

Whether writing about accidentally coming out as gay to his music teacher, learning French as a 41-year-old or feeling crushing jealousy for his artistically gifted sister, Sedaris approaches every new experience with a wide-eyed curiosity.

From Los Angeles Times

A driver who was hit with a £100 parking charge when he needed to stop after being sick has joined others to warn against accidentally entering privately-owned land.

From BBC

In February 2023 a freight train and a passenger train carrying 350 people, headed in opposite directions, were accidentally put on the same track.

From BBC

Between the fear of accidentally owing money to the IRS and the anxiety of navigating complex forms, filing taxes can feel like playing cards at a table where only the dealer knows the game.

From Salon

Related Words

• unintentionally
• unwittingly

How Do You Spell Accidentally?

Spelling tips for accidentally

The word accidentally is hard to spell because it can be hard to remember which letters are doubled and which are not. To add to the confusion, there are two possible spellings of accidentally. While less common, accidently is also an acceptable spelling of the word.

How to spell accidentally: It’s no accident that many animals have two eyes to see (C) And two ears to Listen (L). This reminds you that the letters c and l are doubled in accidentally, with an a in between.