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

“I feel so bad. He’s got some difficulty — there was an accident, and that’s all I know,” Trump said.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2026

Woods has had multiple surgeries following a serious road accident in 2021 and has played only a limited schedule.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

She’d begun painting only months earlier, after being injured in a traffic accident that maimed her for life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Golf superstar Tiger Woods told authorities he was looking at his phone and changing radio channels before his car crash last Friday, according to an accident report released by police Tuesday.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

But then if it was an accident, why would the culprit duck into the doorway, instead of just apologizing?

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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