accidental
word
/ˌæksəˈdɛnəɫ/
ak-si-DEN-tuhl
/ˌæksɪdˈɛntəl/
ak-si-DEN-tuhl
Definition
Happening by chance, not planned or intended. 'Accidental' can describe things that occur unexpectedly or without intention.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and neutral. Often used with 'accidental damage', 'accidental discovery', or to contrast with 'intentional'. It does not mean 'by mistake' if someone is responsible; 'accidental' emphasizes lack of intent, not carelessness.
Spanish: accidental - involuntarioPortuguese (BR): acidentalPortuguese (PT): acidentalChinese (Simplified): 意外的 - 偶然的Chinese (Traditional): 意外的 - 偶然的Hindi: आकस्मिक - अनजाने मेंArabic: عرضي - غير مقصودBengali: আকস্মিক - অনিচ্ছাকৃতRussian: случайный - непреднамеренныйJapanese: 偶然の - 意図しないVietnamese: tình cờ - ngẫu nhiên - không cố ýKorean: 우연한 - 의도하지 않은Turkish: tesadüfi - istemeden olanUrdu: اتفاقی - غیر ارادیIndonesian: tidak disengaja - kebetulan
Example Sentences
Their accidental encounter at the airport changed everything.
natural
The fire was accidental and not started on purpose.
basic
He made an accidental discovery in the laboratory.
basic
The damage was accidental, not deliberate.
basic
It was just an accidental meeting, but we became friends after that.
natural
Sorry, I broke your cup—it was completely accidental.
natural