accidentally

[ ak-si-den-tl-ee ]

/ ˌæk sɪˈdɛn tl i /

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adverb

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.

in a nonessential or subsidiary way; incidentally: Philosophy is essentially a vocation, and only accidentally a profession.

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Sometimes ac·ci·dent·ly [ak-si-dent-lee] /ˌæk sɪˈdɛnt li/ .

Origin of accidentally

accidental + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM accidentally

non·ac·ci·den·tal·ly, adverbpre·ac·ci·den·tal·ly, adverbpseu·do·ac·ci·den·tal·ly, adverbqua·si-ac·ci·den·tal·ly, adverb

un·ac·ci·den·tal·ly, adverb

How to use accidentally in a sentence

So, dressed in my formal navy blue uniform and doing my best to avoid tripping into accidental human contact, I rigidly marched into the Admiral’s office, staring straight ahead while barking my resume.
How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight Quarters - Issue 94: Evolving|Steve Weiner|December 30, 2020|Nautilus
The drug doesn’t go as far as eliminating peanut allergies, but it can help people tolerate an accidental peanut encounter.
Against all odds, 2020 featured some good health news|Laura Sanders|December 29, 2020|Science News
Generally speaking, it’s important to ensure that you allow for adequate space to safely mount and dismount your exercise bike to limit the possibility of accidental injury.
Best exercise bike: Get your miles in without leaving the house|PopSci Commerce Team|December 19, 2020|Popular-Science
The fire in the townhouse in the 300 block of Harrison Street SE was accidental, caused by improper disposal of smoking materials, the fire department said.
Woman found dead after Leesburg fire identified, authorities say|Martin Weil|December 16, 2020|Washington Post

Researchers can’t explain why the accidental lower dose proved more effective.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be tested in a new trial after questions over its data|Charlotte Jee|November 27, 2020|MIT Technology Review
An ITF anti-doping tribunal ruled in 2009 that Richard Gasquet accidently ingested cocaine while kissing a woman at a nightclub.
Tennis Has a Doping Problem|Sujay Kumar|July 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Did you once accidently apply to a school in Michigan thinking it was in New York?
A Gifted Man’s Leading Lady|Jace Lacob|September 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Barbara was obviously deeply concerned over the evidence which Joe Strong had accidently turned up.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
He lost his life by accidently falling into Blackrock creek, near Lynchburg, Va., while on a geological excursion.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The matter was settled for him by meeting her accidently outside the buvette.
Beggars on Horseback|F. Tennyson Jesse
Andrew drew from his pocket his worn campaigning note-case and accidently dropped a letter.
The Mountebank|William J. Locke
A boy, named Johnny Fordyce, had been indiscreet enough to put a sixpence in his mouth and accidently swallowed it.
Scotch Wit and Humor|W. H. (Walter Henry) Howe

accidentally

Origin of accidentally

OTHER WORDS FROM accidentally

Words related to accidentally

How to use accidentally in a sentence