inadvertently

American  

[in-uhd-vur-tnt-lee] / ˌɪn ədˈvɜr tnt li /

adverb

1. unintentionally; without meaning to.

   I apologize to anyone I have inadvertently left off this list.

2. through lack of attention; without anyone noticing.

   There is the potential for one set of rules to inadvertently replace another.

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Etymology

Origin of inadvertently

inadvertent ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Inadvertently is an adverb that means "without knowledge or intent," like when you inadvertently take someone else's coat from the coatroom because it looks just like yours. When you do something inadvertently, you don't mean to do it — you might inadvertently step in a puddle, leave something important at home, or hurt your friend's feelings. Some things that happen inadvertently aren't mistakes, though: They happen by chance. For example, if you just happen to park your car at the exact place that blocks a bus from hitting a pedestrian, you've inadvertently saved a life.

Example Sentences

Just a couple of days before that now-infamous blog post, the firm inadvertently provided a different, no-less-perfect example of the perils of mass digitization.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026

And by avoiding the title “teacher,” the models can inadvertently minimize the profession, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

The American striker was battling hulking Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic for a loose ball when he inadvertently raked Muharemovic’s right calf with his studs up, then landed on his ankle, twisting it awkwardly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

The pause came after private conversations and performance data inadvertently became accessible to all staff.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

Washington simply did not have control of the government and was inadvertently lending credibility to the treacheries being hatched all around him.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• negligently
• recklessly