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 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

Other Word Forms

• postaccident 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

He was involved in a car accident on the M5 on 17 May 2021, which he used repeatedly as an excuse for delays.

Read more on BBC

The discovery linking the two fault zones happened by accident.

Read more on Science Daily

Confirming Tuesday's road accident in the centre of the coastal nation, the Togolese government gave a toll of five dead and eight wounded, without specifying the victims' nationalities.

Read more on Barron's

“I’s not an accident that on TikTok is where you find the Tide Pod challenge, or the milk crate challenge,” North said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The accident, which saw the picture-postcard 19th-century Gloria tramway hurtle into a building after careering off the rails, killed 16 people and laid bare fears over the safety of the popular yet ageing tourist attraction.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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