Skip to main content
accident

accident

1.0
An unexpected event that causes harm or damage
  • noun
  • /ˈæksɪdənt/
translation icon : accidente
  • His wife died in an accident three years ago.
  • a car accident
  • cause an accident
  • a traffic accident

That's why those accidents can often be more dangerous.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Both human error and mechanical failure caused the accident on the Spadina line on August 11, 1995.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Your husband had an accident policy with this company.

  • Five years ago, there was an accident.

  • This was a tragic accident, and our hearts go out to them.

  • They were killed in a car accident a few years ago.

  • In 1987, my younger brother was involved in a car accident in which he broke several ribs.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In December, barely three months after the accident, Lexi walked to a high school dance.

    Academic text (2011)
  • He was involved in a serious accident while driving home last night.

  • The accident caused major delays on the highway due to the overturned truck.

  • After the accident, the driver called for help and waited for the ambulance.

Synonyms

incident
vsaccident
2.7

An event that is unusual or draws attention

is specifically an unexpected event that typically causes damage or injury
crash
vsaccident
2.3

A violent collision of vehicles like cars or planes that causes damage

is broader, covering any unexpected harmful event beyond violent impacts
collision
vsaccident
148 3.8

A crash when two moving vehicles hit each other

is more general, including non-collision unexpected harmful events as well
wreck
vsaccident
105 2.7

A serious accident involving vehicles like cars

is the general unexpected harmful event type that can include such cases
car crash
vsaccident
72 1.3

A collision between cars that causes damage or injury

is the wider category of unexpected harmful events that includes vehicle crashes
mishap
vsaccident
62 3.4

A small accident that causes trouble but not serious harm

is broader, covering unexpected events that may cause serious damage or injury
misadventure
vsaccident
15 6.9

An unlucky event that causes small harm or trouble

covers all unexpected harmful events, not only minor or unlucky ones
happenstance
vsaccident
15 8.5

A chance event that seems planned but is actually an accident

is concerned with unexpected events that result in harm or damage
trip
vsaccident
11 1.0

An accidental step that makes someone stumble or fall

is the general unexpected harmful event category that includes such slips
hap
vsaccident
  • Archaic
11 9.9

An event that happens by chance

focuses more on unexpected events that also cause physical harm or damage
derailment
vsaccident
10 6.7

An accident in which a train comes off its tracks

is the general unexpected harmful event class that also includes this case
casus
vsaccident
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An unexpected event that causes harm or trouble

is the modern general term for unexpected events causing damage or injury
chance event
vsaccident
1 3.4

An event that happens by accident and is not planned

adds the idea that the event can cause damage, injury, or harm
smash-up
vsaccident
  • UK
1 5.8

A serious road crash where vehicles hit each other hard

is broader and also covers less violent or non-vehicle unexpected harmful events
dooring
vsaccident
  • Jargon
1 8.5

An accident when a car door opens into a bike rider's path causing a crash

is the broad category of unexpected harmful events that includes such specific causes

Antonyms

709 2.2

A plan or purpose for what you will do

Compounds

Likely to get hurt or break things often

An event that causes someone's death

A situation you are born into, like your family or country, that affects your life and you cannot change

1 5.8

A sudden event when blood flow to the brain stops and parts of the brain stop working, called a stroke

Care and operations that treat injuries from accidents

An unexpected event you cannot stop even with great care

How Serious

catastrophe
176 7.0
disaster
1.0
accident
1.0
mishap
62 3.4
near miss
14 3.7

Surface Forms

accident singular
accidents plural

Etymology

The word accident comes from Latin ad- 'to' and cadere 'to fall'. So an accident is like something that 'falls' on you without warning, which is why it often means an unexpected event that causes damage or injury.