accident
/ˈæksɪdənt/an unexpected event causing injury, damage, or loss
She had a minor accident while riding her bike.
She experienced a small collision while cycling.
Often used in legal and insurance contexts.
a chance occurrence or coincidence
It was an accident that we met at the café.
It was a coincidence that we ran into each other at the café.
In this sense, it is often used interchangeably with 'coincidence'.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Collocations
The word 'accident' is often paired with 'car', 'traffic', or 'workplace' to specify the context.
⚡Gold Rule
Legal vs. Informal Usage
In legal contexts, 'accident' implies no intent, while in informal speech, it can mean a coincidence.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English *accident*, from Old French *accident*, from Latin *accidēns* ('happening, event'), present participle of *accidere* ('to happen, fall out'), from *ad-* ('to, toward') + *cadere* ('to fall').
📝Usage Notes
In legal contexts, an accident is typically an event that was not intended or planned. In everyday language, it can also refer to a coincidence or chance event.