accident

Q: What is the difference between 'accidental' and 'incidental'?

Accidental describes what was not planned or intended. It means "happening by accident" or "happening as an accident," as in "an accidental discovery" and "an accidental injury." Incidental typically means "happening as a minor part or result of something else," as in "a chapter that is incidental to the novel's plot." For more information read the full article .

noun

ac·ci·dent ˈak-sə-dənt

-ˌdent

ˈaks-dənt

Synonyms of accident next

: an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance

Their meeting was an accident.

: lack of intention or necessity : chance

They met by accident rather than by design.

: an unfortunate event resulting especially from carelessness or ignorance

was involved in a traffic accident

medical : an unexpected and medically important bodily event especially when injurious

a cerebrovascular accident

law : an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought

US, informal

—used euphemistically to refer to an uncontrolled or involuntary act or instance of urination or defecation (as by a baby or a pet)

The puppy had an accident on the rug.

: a nonessential property or quality of an entity or circumstance

the accident of nationality

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between accidental and incidental?

Accidental describes what was not planned or intended. It means "happening by accident" or "happening as an accident," as in "an accidental discovery" and "an accidental injury." Incidental typically means "happening as a minor part or result of something else," as in "a chapter that is incidental to the novel's plot." For more information read the full article.

Do you say 'on accident' or 'by accident'?

While both "by accident" and "on accident" are used, "by accident" is far more common.

What does 'accident waiting to happen' mean?

The phrase "an accident waiting to happen" refers to a person or thing that is dangerous or unsafe. For example, a very clumsy person and a rickety ladder might both be referred to as "an accident waiting to happen."

Examples of accident in a Sentence

He was injured in an accident at work. The accident happened when her car slid on a patch of ice. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident. Their meeting was an accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In a sign of the times, the AI boom is poised to resurrect Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history. —

Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024 The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. —

Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024 This high volume of shipping created a convergence of vessels on Lakes Michigan and Huron – also centrally located – increasing the risk of accidents, particularly during storms or in poor visibility. —

Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024 The emotional toll the accident took on me and everyone who loves me is difficult to describe. —

Emily Owen, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accident

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "happening, nonessential property, diseased condition, disturbance (of the mind)," borrowed from Anglo-French, "irregularity, incident, symptom," borrowed from Latin accident-, accidens "chance event, contingent attribute" (translating Greek symbebēkós), from present participle of accidere "to fall down, impinge on, be heard, happen," from ad- ad- + cadere "to fall" — more at chance entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler

The first known use of accident was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

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Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Accident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accident. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

accident

noun

ac·ci·dent ˈak-səd-ənt

-sə-ˌdent

: an event occurring by chance or from unknown causes

: chance entry 1 sense 1

we met by accident

: an unintended and usually sudden and unexpected event resulting in loss or injury

an automobile accident

Medical Definition

accident

noun

ac·ci·dent ˈak-səd-ənt

-sə-ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt

: an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes

: an unexpected bodily event of medical importance especially when injurious

a cerebrovascular accident

: an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought

accidental

ˌak-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl

adjective

accidentally

-ˈdent-lē, -ᵊl-ē

adverb

also accidently

-ˈdent-lē

Legal Definition

accident

noun

ac·ci·dent

: an unexpected usually sudden event that occurs without intent or volition although sometimes through carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes and that produces an unfortunate result (as an injury) for which the affected party may be entitled to relief under the law or to compensation under an insurance policy see also unavoidable accident

Note: The term accident has been held to include intentional acts (such as an assault and battery) under workers' compensation laws.

accidental adjective

accidentally adverb

also accidently

Last Updated: 30 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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accident

noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Synonyms

Examples of accident in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near accident

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition