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 calledadjunct 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 Words From

• post·acci·dent 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

She said any liability for possible accidents would be on the gym or coaches, not the school or district.

From Voice of San Diego

The FAA has tentatively approved multiple design changes to prevent such an accident in the future and the plane could be certified to resume operations in the fall.

From Fortune

This means that I would have a five percent chance of finding a difference that size by accident alone.

From Science News For Students

The most important accident, I discovered much later, was that I built Frog Fractions in chronological order, and I designed each scene to follow naturally from the previous ones.

From Ars Technica

This pot comes in a few different sizes and includes easy-to-grip, safe handles to prevent any accidents or messes.

From Popular-Science

Father Joel Román Salazar died in a car crash in 2013; his death was ruled an accident, but the suspicion of foul play persists.

From The Daily Beast

The accident rate in Asia has marred what was in 2014 a banner year for aviation safety.

From The Daily Beast

Lalo insisted during a recent interview that they encountered Chito “and his people by accident.”

From The Daily Beast

If there are 162 confirmed deaths from Flight 8501, this would make 2014 the worst year for accident deaths since 2005.

From The Daily Beast

What conflicts do exist between them derive from misunderstanding and accident.

From The Daily Beast

My father, who was a professional cricketer, was smashed up by an accident, and I had three horrible years in employment in shops.

From Project Gutenberg

Lady Maude advanced; she had really come in by accident; her head was bent, her eyelashes rested on her flushed cheeks.

From Project Gutenberg

“Of course we know it, sir,” rejoined Fogg, slapping his pocket—perhaps by accident.

From Project Gutenberg

The violent shock dazed Malcolm for a second, but all might yet have been well were it not for an unavoidable accident.

From Project Gutenberg

An accident occurred on the Panama rail road, recently put in operation, by which 43 persons were killed, and 60 wounded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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