accidentally

About 3.43 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adverb In an accidental manner; by chance, unexpectedly.

   He discovered penicillin largely accidentally.

2. adverb Unintentionally.

   He accidentally exposed the bacteria to mold spores.

3. adverb Used with the verb omitted but implied, the verb itself having the meaning 'omit', 'delete' or similar.

   I accidentally the word 'not'. (meaning "I accidentally omitted the word 'not'")

Similar words

incidentally unintentionally unexpectedly circumstantially by chance incidently inadvertently unwittingly involuntarily carelessly

Often followed by

or discovered killed in shot and by met dropped

Word family

accidentally on purpose