accident
n. countablen. something bad that happens by mistake, like a car crash or falling down. It can also mean something that happens by chance without anyone planning it.
n. an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. Also used to describe an event that occurs by chance rather than through deliberate planning.
He had a small accident on his bike yesterday.
The police arrived quickly to clear the road after the minor traffic accident blocked two lanes.
While the discovery appeared to be a happy accident, subsequent analysis revealed that the researchers had been subconsciously following a trail of subtle clues for months.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *ḱh₂d-der. Proto-Italic *kadō Latin cadō Latin accidō Latin accidēns Old French accidentbor. Middle English accident English accident 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.
Often used with the preposition 'by' to describe events that happen without intention.
I met him by an accidentI met him by accidentWhen describing something that happens by chance, the phrase 'by accident' is a fixed idiom and does not take an article.
- 01
accident of birth
A fact, situation, or personal characteristic, which may be desirable or undesirable, resulting from the circumstances into which a person was born, and which is therefore entirely beyond their control.
- 02
accident waiting to happen
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
- 03
have an accident
To urinate or defecate somewhere other than a toilet.