accidental
Not on purpose
Accidental describes something happening by chance rather than intention or design: an accidental discovery, accidental death.
The word often implies no one is at fault—things simply happened that way.
In music, an accidental is a sharp, flat, or natural sign that modifies a note outside the key signature.
Not done on purpose
- inadvertentDone without intention
- unplannedNot arranged beforehand
- randomOccurring without pattern
- coincidentalOccurring together by luck
fortuitous · serendipitous · fluky · haphazard · unexpected · unforeseen · unanticipated · unpredictable
Fine-edged, or astute
- flatLacking vertical variation
- naturalNot artificially produced
- chromaticRelating to color
- pitchFrequency of sound
semitone · notation · alteration · inflection · modifier · key signature · enharmonic · microtonal
Physical or psychological harm
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- crashSudden violent impact
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
- fallDescend under gravity
slip · spill · damage · breakage · mistake · error · blunder · oversight
Accidental fortunate discovery
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
- penicillinFungus-derived infection fighter
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
microwave · Teflon · saccharin · vulcanization · discovery · finding · stumble · eureka
Legal or financial obligation
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- deathCessation of life
- dismembermentRemoval of limbs
policy · compensation · settlement · negligence · damages · indemnity · premium · payout
unintentional
Not done on purpose
- inadvertentDone without intention
- unplannedNot arranged beforehand
- randomOccurring without pattern
coincidental · fortuitous · serendipitous · fluky · haphazard · unexpected · unforeseen · unanticipated · unpredictable · involuntary
sharp
Fine-edged, or astute
pitch · semitone · notation · alteration · inflection · modifier · key signature · enharmonic · microtonal · ornament
injury
Physical or psychological harm
fall · slip · spill · damage · breakage · mistake · error · blunder · oversight · misfire
serendipity
Accidental fortunate discovery
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
- penicillinFungus-derived infection fighter
X-ray · microwave · Teflon · saccharin · vulcanization · discovery · finding · stumble · eureka · happenstance
liability
Legal or financial obligation
dismemberment · policy · compensation · settlement · negligence · damages · indemnity · premium · payout · beneficiary
accidentalintentional
Done on purpose
deliberate · planned · premeditated · calculated · willful
accidentalessential
Fundamentally necessary
inherent · intrinsic · fundamental · necessary · substantive
accidentalinevitable
Certain to occur
predetermined · predestined · foreordained · preordained · foreseen
- by accidentWithout intent or planning
- car accidentCollision involving automobiles
- have an accidentSuffer unintended harm
- traffic accidentCollision between vehicles
- freak accidentRare, unpredictable calamity
- happy accidentUnintended but beneficial event
accident, accidentally, accidentals, nonaccidental, accidental death