# accidently

/ˈæksədəntɫi/ (US) · /ˈæksɪdəntli/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accidently
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

by mistake or without meaning to. You use this when you do something wrong because you were not careful.

For teachers: by mistake or unintentionally. Informal in register; often used in British English to describe accidental errors.

## Examples

- I accidently deleted the wrong file.
- She accidently sent the confidential email to the entire department instead of just her manager.
- The software update accidently removed several essential system files, leaving the computer in a state where it could not boot up properly.

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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.