accident

UK: /ˈæksɪdənt/ US: /ˈæksɪdənt/ ,(ak′si dənt)

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

ac•ci•dent /ˈæksɪdənt/   n. [countable]

1. an unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally:
   An accident occurred on the icy road.
2. any event that happens unexpectedly: Finding her was a happy accident.
3. by accident, unexpectedly:
   I met her quite by accident.

See -cide-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ac•ci•dent  (ak′si dənt), n. 

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

• Latin accident- (stem of accidēns happening, present participle of accidere to befall), equivalent. to ac- ac- + -cid-, combining form of cad- fall + -ent- -ent
• Middle English 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. mischance, misfortune, misadventure; contingency; disaster.

Antonyms

• 4. design, intent.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

accident / ˈæksɪdənt/ 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. a surface irregularity in a natural formation, esp in a rock formation or a river system

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin accident- chance, happening, from the present participle of accidere to befall, happen, from ad- to + cadere to fall