by accident — without planning or intention; unintentionally
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: without planning or intention; unintentionally
Pronunciation (IPA): /baɪ ˈæksɪdənt/
Example Sentences
- I became a millionaire by accident when I bought the wrong lottery ticket.
- She discovered her husband's surprise party plan by accident.
- The scientist made a breakthrough discovery by accident while spilling coffee on his experiment.
by accident
ADVERB[/baɪ ˈæksɪdənt/]
without planning or intention; unintentionally
He knocked over the vase by accident while reaching for the remote.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin 'accidere' (to happen, to fall), combining 'ad-' (to) and 'cadere' (to fall). The phrase developed from the metaphorical sense of unforeseen events 'falling upon' or occurring suddenly without intention.
Breakdown
by (through the agency of) + accident (from Latin accidere: ad- (to) + cadere (fall), meaning an unexpected event or occurrence).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I became a millionaire by accident when I bought the wrong lottery ticket.”
“She discovered her husband's surprise party plan by accident.”
“The scientist made a breakthrough discovery by accident while spilling coffee on his experiment.”
“I ran into my ex-girlfriend by accident at the grocery store.”
📚Related Words
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