# accidentally

/ˌæksəˈdɛnəɫi/ (US) · /ˌæksɪdˈɛntəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accidentally
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. without meaning to

adverb · CEFR B1

by mistake or without planning it.

For teachers: unintentionally or by mistake; describes an action performed without deliberate purpose.

- I accidentally deleted the email while I was trying to move it to a folder.
- The witness accidentally revealed the location of the safe house during the cross-examination, much to the frustration of the legal team.

Usage: Usually placed before the main verb or at the end of a clause.

### 2. by chance

adverb · CEFR B2

happening by luck or chance rather than being planned.

For teachers: occurring by chance or unexpected coincidence rather than design.

- We met accidentally at the train station after not seeing each other for years.
- The researchers accidentally discovered the new compound while they were investigating a completely unrelated chemical reaction.

## Examples

- I accidentally deleted the wrong file from my computer.
- While cleaning the kitchen, she accidentally knocked a glass off the counter and it shattered on the floor.
- The researchers accidentally discovered the new compound while they were attempting to refine a completely different chemical process for industrial use.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.