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.
“We feel very comfortable that this isn’t an issue with inadvertent manipulation of fuel control,” he said.
Her letting agent said an oversight meant it never applied for the licence on her behalf but Reeves said she took full responsibility and apologised for the "inadvertent mistake".
From BBC
Trump's former vice president Mike Pence and Biden also had classified documents at their homes, though we are told this may have been "inadvertent."
From Salon
There’s the funniness both inadvertent and intended, or, as Evans put it, “the mannerisms.”
From Washington Post
Red Sox: Christian Arroyo stayed in the game after taking an inadvertent cleat to the side of his head in the second inning.
From Washington Times
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.
