accidental

One entry found for accidental.

Main Entry: ¹ac·ci·den·tal
Pronunciation: "ak-s&-'den-t^&l
Function: adjective
1 : arising from extrinsic causes : INCIDENTAL, NONESSENTIAL
2 a : occurring unexpectedly or by chance b : happening without intent or through carelessness and often with unfortunate results
- ac·ci·den·tal·ly /-'dent-lE, -'den-t^&l-E/ also ac·ci·dent·ly /-'dent-lE/ adverb
- ac·ci·den·tal·ness /-'den-t^&l-n&s/ noun
synonyms ACCIDENTAL, FORTUITOUS, CASUAL, CONTINGENT mean not amenable to planning or prediction. ACCIDENTAL stresses chance <any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental>. FORTUITOUS so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause <a series of fortuitous events>. CASUAL stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent <a casual encounter with a stranger>. CONTINGENT suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence <the contingent effects of the proposed law>.