French word

accidentel

Pronunciation

IPA/aksidɑ̃tɛl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveaccidental

Example

C'était une rencontre accidentelle.

It was an accidental encounter.

Illustration for accidentel (accidental)

More examples

Il a fait un geste accidentel.

He made an accidental gesture.

Core concept

A chance occurrence appearing outside a person's plan or purpose.

Common phrases

  • un geste accidentel

    an accidental gesture

  • une erreur accidentelle

    an accidental error

Similar words

imprévu: Happening without being predicted in advance.
inattendu: Arising suddenly in a way that defies expectations or predictions.

Definition in French

Qui arrive par hasard, sans intention ni plan.

Word origin

French accidentel comes from Latin accidentalis, formed from accidens, meaning happening or occurring.

Usage tips

  • The adjective agrees with the noun: accidentel, accidentelle, accidentels, and accidentelles.

Other meanings

  • unintentionaladjective

Opposites

  • intentionnelintentionaladjective
  • volontairedeliberateadjective

Related words

  • accidentellementaccidentallyadverb

Word lists with this word