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

Although one line on the mortgage application for the Atlanta condo listed the property as a primary residence, other records show that this “was at most an inadvertent notation,” Lowell said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Overt social and political sentiment have been either inadvertent or unavoidable in previous Burns series—“Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson” and “The Vietnam War” being examples of the latter.

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Reeves has apologised for the "inadvertent mistake" but said she accepted full responsibility.

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The Tories have also attacked Reeves after she apologised for failing to get a licence that was required to rent out her home after an "inadvertent error".

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Sir Keir said that this was because the breach was inadvertent, Reeves had acted promptly to rectify it by applying for the licence, and had apologised.

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Related Words

• careless 
• reckless 
• unintended 
• unintentional 
• unwitting