adj

accidental

ak-sih-DEHN-tl

adj

Happening by chance rather than on purpose.

"The fire was ruled accidental, not the result of arson."

Not essential to the basic nature of something; incidental.

"The color of the box is accidental to its function."

How to Use Accidental

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUnintended or happening by chance, rather than planned or essential.

Common pairings

accidental death purely accidental

more accidental comparative, accidentals plural, most accidental superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The fire was ruled _____, not the result of arson.

From Late Latin accidentalis, based on accident.

circumstantial incidental casual contingent occasional fortuitous serendipitous accidentary by accident by the by causeless chanceable

inevitable intentional impossible

about accidentally conditional conscious fortuitous certain auspicious strange

mental dental rental parental Oriental elemental ornamental judgmental incidental monumental regimental fundamental

circumstantial incidental casual contingent occasional fortuitous serendipitous accidentary by accident by the by causeless chanceable