Meaning
The word accidentally is an adverb that means "by chance" or "without intention." It describes something that happens unexpectedly or not on purpose.
Pronunciation
/ˌæk.sɪˈden.təl.i/ (ak-suh-DEN-tuh-lee)
Synonyms
- Unintentionally
- By mistake
- Inadvertently
- Unwittingly
Example Sentences
- I
accidentallydeleted the email before reading it. - She
accidentallyspilled coffee on her shirt. - They met
accidentallyat the train station.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse accidentally with on accident, which is informal and mostly used in spoken American English. In formal writing, prefer accidentally or by accident.