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View synonyms for

accident

[ ak-si-duhnt ]

noun

  1. an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap:

    automobile accidents.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  2. Law. such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.
  3. any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.
  4. chance; fortune; luck:

    I was there by accident.

    Antonyms: ,

  5. a fortuitous circumstance, quality, or characteristic:

    an accident of birth.

  6. Philosophy. any entity or event contingent upon the existence of something else.
  7. Geology. a surface irregularity, usually on a small scale, the reason for which is not apparent.


accident

/ ˈæɪəԳ /

noun

  1. an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause
  2. anything that occurs unintentionally or by chance; chance; fortune

    I met him by accident

  3. a misfortune or mishap, esp one causing injury or death
  4. Also calledadjunct logic philosophy a nonessential attribute or characteristic of something (as opposed to substance)
  5. metaphysics a property as contrasted with the substance in which it inheres
  6. geology a surface irregularity in a natural formation, esp in a rock formation or a river system
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • Dz···Գ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of accident1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin accident-, stem of ŧԲ “happening,” present participle of accidere “to befall, happen,” from ac- ac- + -cidere, combining form of cadere “to fall”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of accident1

C14: via Old French from Latin accident- chance, happening, from the present participle of accidere to befall, happen, from ad- to + cadere to fall
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"This was no accident, this was no mistake, you made sure she was gone and was never coming back."

From

A County Tyrone man has said his dream of taking over the family farm was gone in the "blink of an eye" when he lost his arm in a farming accident.

From

And the blind lawyer died in a car accident.

From

The watchdog said exhaustion was also a risk to staff themselves with some complaining of nodding off at the wheel on the way home and reports of staff dying in road accidents after work.

From

At trial, however, Ferguson and his attorneys maintained the shooting was an accident.

From

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accidenceaccidental