inadvertent

UK: /ˌɪnədˈvɜː^rtənt/ US: /ˌɪnədˈvɝtənt/ ,(in′əd vûr′tnt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ad•vert•ent /ˌɪnədˈvɜrtənt/   adj. 

1. unintentional:
   an inadvertent insult.
2. not attentive:
   He was inadvertent and knocked over his glass.

in•ad•vert•ence, n. [uncountable]
in•ad•vert•ent•ly, adv.: 

I inadvertently overheard her conversation.

See -vert-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ad•vert•ent  (in′əd vûr′tnt), adj. 

1. unintentional:
   an inadvertent insult.
2. not attentive;
   heedless.
3. of, pertaining to, or characterized by lack of attention.

• 1645–55; abstracted from inadvertence, inadvertency; see -ent

in′ad•vert′ent•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. inattentive.
• 3. thoughtless, careless, negligent.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

inadvertent / ˌɪnədˈvɜːt^ənt/ adjective

1. failing to act carefully or considerately; inattentive
2. resulting from heedless action; unintentional

ˌinadˈvertently adverb