What does "accident" mean?
An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not directly caused by humans.
Accident
/ˈæk.sɪ.dənt/ adj, name, noun
adj, name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not directly caused by humans.
- Grammar: accident is listed as adj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: fortuity, mishap, accessary, accessory.
- Useful contrasts: french propos, icelandic meina, strong intent.
- Usage evidence: The discrepancy between the stories of the two parties involved in the accident was so great that the authorities had a hard time deciding which side was telling the truth.
How to use "accident"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "accident" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "accident" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "accident" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "accident" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "accident" is acting as adj, name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "fortuity" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "accident", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not directly caused by humans. countable, uncountable
"to die by an accident such as an act of God"
- 2 anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause wordnet
- 3 An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not directly caused by humans.; casus; such unforeseen, extraordinary, extraneous interference as is out of the range of ordinary calculation. countable, uncountable
- 4 an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury wordnet
- 5 A collision or crash of a vehicle, aircraft, or other form of transportation that causes damage to the transportation involved; and sometimes injury or death to the transportation's occupants or bystanders in close proximity. (but see Usage notes) countable, uncountable
"There was a huge accident on I5 involving 15 automobiles."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 Any chance event. countable, uncountable
"He also objects to the idea of women arising by an accident of nature, preferring the notion that they came about as a 'result of some strong mental impression', and so 'the sex of the progeny would have been settled by the decision of the progenitor'."
- 7 Chance; random chance. uncountable
"c.1861-1863, Richard Chevenix Trench, in 1888, Letters and memorials, Volume 1, Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident, / It is the very place God meant for thee; […]"
- 8 Any property, fact, or relation that is the result of chance or is nonessential or nonsubstantive. countable, uncountable
"Beauty is an accident."
- 9 Any property, fact, or relation that is the result of chance or is nonessential or nonsubstantive.; A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, such as gender, number, or case. countable, uncountable
"An adjective, so called because adjectitious, or added to a substantive, denotes some quality or accident of the substantive to which it is joined […]"
- 10 An instance of incontinence. countable, euphemistic, uncountable
"We weren’t there long when Karin asked about our dog. When we told her Chris was in the car, she insisted we bring him up to the apartment. I rejected her offer and said he might have an accident on the carpet and I didn’t want to worry about it."
- 11 An instance of incontinence.; Urine or feces excreted due to incontinence. countable, euphemistic, uncountable
- 12 An unintended pregnancy. countable, euphemistic, uncountable
- 13 An unintended pregnancy.; A person born from an unintended pregnancy. countable, derogatory, euphemistic, humorous, uncountable
"Taylor was our sweet little accident, and we're so glad!"
- 14 An irregular surface feature with no apparent cause. countable, uncountable
- 15 A sudden discontinuity of ground such as fault of great thickness, bed or lentil of unstable ground. countable, uncountable
- 16 A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms. countable, uncountable
Adjective
- 1 Designating any form of transportation involved in an accident. not-comparable
"The NTSB report revealed that the accident airplane was a Cessna 172."
Proper Noun
- 1 A town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States.
Antonyms
french proposicelandic meinastrong intentunspecified topic
Example
"The discrepancy between the stories of the two parties involved in the accident was so great that the authorities had a hard time deciding which side was telling the truth."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "accident"?
Common synonyms include: fortuity, mishap, accessary, accessory, accidental, addendum.
How do you use "accident" in a sentence?
The discrepancy between the stories of the two parties involved in the accident was so great that the authorities had a hard time deciding which side was telling the truth.
How do you pronounce "accident"?
Pronounced /ˈæk.sɪ.dənt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
First attested in the late 14th century. From Middle English accident, from Old French accident, from Latin accidēns, present active participle of accidō (“happen”); from ad (“to”) + cadō (“fall”). See cadence, case. In the sense “unintended pregnancy”, first attested in 1932.
Etymology 2
Unknown.