- accident
- ac|ci|dent [ `æksıdənt ] noun ***1. ) count a crash involving a car, train, airplane, or other vehicle:a fatal accident on the expressway between Plainview and WestburyHe was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.The accident was caused by ice on the road.a ) a sudden event, usually caused by someone making a mistake, that results in damage, injury, or death:Seven men were killed in a serious mining accident yesterday.a riding/climbing/hunting accidentb ) a mistake that causes minor damage or harm:Don't make such a fuss it was an accident.2. ) count or uncount something that happens unexpectedly, without being planned:To be honest, my second pregnancy was an accident.a ) it is no accident used for saying that something was planned, perhaps for dishonest reasons:It is no accident that every letter we send is delayed.an accident of birtha situation caused by who your family is instead of by anything you doan accident waiting to happen1. ) a situation likely to cause an accident:An aging nuclear reactor is an accident waiting to happen.2. ) someone who behaves in a way that is likely to cause troubleby accidentby chance, without being planned or intended:Quite by accident, she came up with a brilliantly simple solution.Occasionally we would meet by accident in the hall.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.