inadvertent
Americanadjective
-
unintentional.
an inadvertent insult.
-
not attentive; heedless.
- Synonyms:
- inattentive
-
of, relating to, or characterized by lack of attention.
- Synonyms:
- negligent, careless, thoughtless
adjective
-
failing to act carefully or considerately; inattentive
-
resulting from heedless action; unintentional
Other Word Forms
- inadvertently adverb
Etymology
Origin of inadvertent
First recorded in 1645–55; abstracted from inadvertence, inadvertency
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.
That way if my husband inadvertently saw my conversation history in my sidebar, there would be no inadvertent spoiler.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
With the substitution exposed, Fox claimed the error was inadvertent.
From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026
“Flock sincerely regrets the confusion and mistrust this has created within several communities, and made every effort possible to determine the cause of each reported instance of inadvertent sharing,” the post read.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as others, questioned whether inadvertent errors in mortgage paperwork could plausibly rise to the level of gross negligence.
From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026
Even we humans have achieved the dubious technical dis- tinction of being able to make our own disasters, both intentional and inadvertent.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
