Accidentally
/ˌæksɪˈdentəli/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adverbBy chance and not because you planned or intended it.
Extra definitions
adverbBy chance, without intending to.
adverbIn a way that happens unexpectedly.
adverbIn an accidental manner; by chance, unexpectedly.
Sentence Examples
I accidentally deleted the file.
She accidentally broke the glass.
He accidentally met his old teacher.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
None
Word Origin & History
Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
“As I arrived at the foot of the hill I overtook two ladies, whom I passed. As I did so, I brushed one of them accidently on the arm.”
— 1899, Knut Hamsun, “Part I”, in George Egerton [pseudonym; Mary Chavelita Dunne Bright], transl., Hunger […], London: Leonard Smithers and Co […], →OCLC, page 15:
“Robins, of Torquay, had denied a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. She claimed the microwave was accidentally turned on by one of the cats after the kitten got inside. But Knutton said the kitten was too small to even get onto the work surface.”
— 2011 December 14, Steven Morris, “Devon woman jailed for 168 days for killing kitten in microwave”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I ____ deleted the file.