adventitious
Americanadjective
-
associated with something by chance rather than as an integral part; extrinsic.
-
Botany, Zoology. appearing in an abnormal or unusual position or place, as a root.
adjective
-
added or appearing accidentally or unexpectedly
-
(of a plant or animal part) developing in an abnormal position, as a root that grows from a stem
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of adventitious
1595–1605; < Latin adventīcius literally, coming from without, external, equivalent to ad- ad- + ven- (stem of venīre to come) + -t ( us ) past participle suffix + -īcius -itious
Explanation
Adventitious is a word you use to talk about things that "just kind of happen," not because you are trying to do them, but because they just come along. Christopher Columbus's stumbling upon the Caribbean while searching for a new route to India was adventitious. When you make an adventitious rhyme while speaking, you might hear, "You're a poet, you didn't know it, your long feet show it."
Vocabulary lists containing adventitious
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Great Gatsby
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Society and Solitude
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
IAA is used as a rooting hormone to promote growth of adventitious roots on cuttings and detached leaves.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Williams’s radiant sound and adventitious origins have made her a key figure in a diverse dawn for the solo guitar.
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2021
A bud and adventitious root system form from the runner.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
But the most adventitious source of revenue was the North Sea – a source to which one Thatcherite would refer as "what we are using to finance unemployment".
From The Guardian ● Apr. 20, 2013
Like strawberries, peach palm throws out adventitious shoots.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
