Dictionary.com

adventitious

[ ad-vuhn-tish-uhs ]
/ ˌæd vənˈtɪʃ əs /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for adventitious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

OTHER WORDS FROM adventitious

Words nearby adventitious

advection fog, advent, Advent calendar, Adventist, adventitia, adventitious, adventitious root, adventive, Advent Sunday, adventure, adventure playground
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to adventitious

accidental, casual, extrinsic, foreign, fortuitous, nonessential

How to use adventitious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for adventitious

adventitious
/ (ˌædvɛnˈtɪʃəs) /
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

Derived forms of adventitious

adventitiously, adverb

Word Origin for adventitious

C17: from Latin adventīcius coming from outside, from adventus a coming
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK