accident

[ak-si-duhnt]

noun

1. an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap.

   automobile accidents.

   Synonyms: disaster, contingency, misadventure, misfortune, mischance

2. Law.,  such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.

3. any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.

4. chance; fortune; luck.

   I was there by accident.

   Antonyms: intent, design

5. a fortuitous circumstance, quality, or characteristic.

   an accident of birth.

6. Philosophy.,  any entity or event contingent upon the existence of something else.

7. Geology.,  a surface irregularity, usually on a small scale, the reason for which is not apparent.

accident

/ ˈæksɪdənt /

noun

1. an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause

2. anything that occurs unintentionally or by chance; chance; fortune

   I met him by accident

3. a misfortune or mishap, esp one causing injury or death

4. Also called: adjunct. logic philosophy a nonessential attribute or characteristic of something (as opposed to substance)

5. metaphysics a property as contrasted with the substance in which it inheres

6. geology a surface irregularity in a natural formation, esp in a rock formation or a river system

Other Word Forms

• postaccident adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accident¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin accident-, stem of accidēns “happening,” present participle of accidere “to befall, happen,” from ac- ac- + -cidere, combining form of cadere “to fall”

Word History and Origins

Origin of accident¹

C14: via Old French from Latin accident- chance, happening, from the present participle of accidere to befall, happen, from ad- to + cadere to fall

Example Sentences

Three other charges related to the accident were dropped.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones, who started performing professionally at 8, said she “fell into acting kind of by accident.”

From Los Angeles Times

The accident was on Aug. 31, his daughter’s fifth birthday, according to Us Weekly.

From Los Angeles Times

Charity Santa Casa da Misericórdia, whose employees used the funicular for their work commute, confirmed that four of their workers were killed in the accident.

From BBC

Boat accidents are fairly common in Nigeria, often due to overloading, poor regulation and inadequate safety precautions.

From BBC

Related Words

• calamity 
• casualty 
• disaster 
• hazard 
• mishap 
• pileup 
• setback