by accident

Definitions

1. 1

   Accidentally

   Accidentally; unintentionally; without meaning to; as the result of an event not expected, aided, or willingly planned.

   • Sorry. I knocked over the vase by accident.
2. 2

   As the result of some undesigned, unintended, unrelated, natural, or random occurrence

   As the result of some undesigned, unintended, unrelated, natural, or random occurrence; as the unexpected and unforeseen result of formerly unrelated factors.

   • The car got totaled by accident; a giant snowdrift fell off the church roof.
   • The only way that project still exists today is by accident; I thought we closed it years ago.
   • The scholar thinks the quote and the parable were spoken on different occasions and only by accident were brought together here.
3. 3

   By chance

   By chance; unexpectedly; as the result of an unrelated series of events.

   • I hadn't seen her for years, but I ran into her by accident at the store.
   • She overheard the information by accident.
   • Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident: It is the very place God meant for thee.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Accidental

      Accidental; as the result of some unforeseen happening or series of events; unexpected; resulting from an event without the foresight, expectation, aid, or design of the person by whose agency it was caused; unintentional.

      • The victim's death was by accident.
      • That the injury was by accident is not questioned.

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