accidentally
gb/ˌæksədˈɛntəli/ us/ˌæksədˈɛntəli/
B1
English
~ 7900
véletlenül
B1
1
véletlenül
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] accidentally [verb]s [something]
I accidentally deleted all the photos from my phone.
Véletlenül töröltem az összes fényképet a telefonomról.
She accidentally sent the email to the whole company.
Véletlenül elküldte az e-mailt az egész cégnek.
He accidentally broke the glass when he put it down too hard.
They met accidentally on the train to London.
If you accidentally click this button, the program will close.
Learner examples
I accidentally called the wrong number.
Véletlenül rossz számot hívtam.
She accidentally spilled coffee on her shirt.
Véletlenül leöntötte kávéval az ingét.
He accidentally pressed the red button.
We accidentally left the door open.
They accidentally sat at the wrong table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'I did it by accidentally'* instead of *'I did it by accident'* or *'I did it accidentally'*. Use *'by accident'* as a fixed phrase, or *'accidentally'* directly before the verb: *'I accidentally broke the glass.'* Another common mistake is word order, such as *'I broke accidentally the glass.'* In natural English, say *'I accidentally broke the glass.'*
Meaning
without meaning or planning to
Collocations
accidentally delete
|accidentally send
|accidentally click
|accidentally break
|accidentally hit
|accidentally knock over
Synonyms
unintentionally (Slightly more formal and general; used in similar contexts.)
|
inadvertently (More formal and often used in written or professional contexts.)
|
by accident (Very common informal phrase; two-word expression instead of an adverb.)
Antonyms
intentionally (Clearly states that something was done on purpose.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|mistakes
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that you do not plan or want; by accident and not on purpose.
In a way that is not planned, intended, or done on purpose.
Grammar
Dictionary form
accidentally
IPA
GB/ˌæksədˈɛntəli/
US/ˌæksədˈɛntəli/
Syllables & stress
ac - ci - dent - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (dent)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: accidentally
- Plural: accidentallies
Word family
Forms
accidentallies
noun
Core family
accident
noun A2
accidental
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
intentional
adjective B2
intentionally
adverb B2
Expressions
accidentally on purpose
1/ˌæksədˈɛntəli ˈɔn pˈɚpəs/
idiom
informal
seeming accidental but actually deliberate
To do something in a way that looks like a mistake, but you really mean to do it.
Examples
- He accidentally on purpose left his notebook open so she would see her name written inside.
- I think she spilled her drink on him accidentally on purpose to start a conversation.
- They "forgot" to invite him, but it felt like they did it accidentally on purpose.