noun
accident
AK-sih-dunt/ˈæksɪdənt/
An event that happens without being intended or planned.
An accident sends the woman's mug crashing to the floor.
Etymology
The image of something “falling upon” someone became a way to describe something happening by chance. This broad sense narrowed toward an undesirable event or mishap, underlying the modern harmful sense.
In context
This accident really opened the eyes of the industry into the possibilities and the risks associated with an in-flight thrust reverser deployment event.
More examples
- She discovered the shortcut by accident.
- No one was hurt in the factory accident.
- Their matching outfits were an accident.
Forms
accident · accidents
Similar words
- mishap
- Often suggests a smaller, less serious unfortunate event.
- collision
- A particular accident involving things striking each other.