inadvertent

[in-uhd-vur-tnt]

adjective

1. unintentional.

   an inadvertent insult.

2. not attentive; heedless.

   Synonyms: inattentive

3. of, relating to, or characterized by lack of attention.

   Synonyms: negligent, careless, thoughtless

inadvertent

/ ˌɪnədˈvɜːtənt /

adjective

1. failing to act carefully or considerately; inattentive

2. resulting from heedless action; unintentional

Other Word Forms

• inadvertently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inadvertent¹

First recorded in 1645–55; abstracted from inadvertence, inadvertency

Example Sentences

The families said this amounted to a design "defect" that "allowed for inadvertent cutoff of fuel supply and total loss of thrust necessary to propel" the plane.

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Sweeney’s impeccable screenplay accounts for these seemingly inadvertent details to later bloom into meaningful narrative payoffs.

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And as Golden also acknowledges, “…at a certain point in sonic history annals, the absence of The Raincoats’ story signals more than just inadvertent omission.”

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"This has been a difficult decision," he wrote but added: "I have concluded on balance that your failure was inadvertent, although greater attention to the rules could and should have avoided it."

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He said any repeat requests would have been inadvertent and claimed that while Yusuf had retained access to his accounts during this time, he did not use them.

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Related Words

• careless 
• reckless 
• unintended 
• unintentional 
• unwitting