accident

American  

[ak-si-duhnt] / ˈæk sɪ dənt /

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.

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accident British  

/ 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 called: adjunct.  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

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Other Word Forms

• postaccident adjective

Etymology

Origin of accident

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”

Example Sentences

MIDDLETOWN, Pa.—Forty-six years have passed since America’s worst nuclear accident, at Three Mile Island, jolted the country and created skepticism of nuclear energy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indian truckers say they are being unfairly targeted after a horrific accident triggered extra scrutiny of migrant drivers and tighter regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

According to L.A. and Hollywood historian Marc Wanamaker, the accident so appalled Denny that he began working on a way to film air stunts without putting pilots in danger.

From Los Angeles Times

The demands reflected a belief that the fire was "not an accident" but a man-made disaster, he said.

From Barron's

Still, commercial pressures motivate shippers to push boundaries, raising the risk of accidents, oil spills or getting stuck in ice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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