Main Entry: ¹ac·ci·den·tal

Pronunciation: \ˌak-sə-ˈden-t^əl\

Function: adjective

Date: 14th century

1 : arising from extrinsic causes : incidental, nonessential
2 a : occurring unexpectedly or by chance b : happening without intent or through carelessness and often with unfortunate results

— ac·ci·den·tal·ly \-ˈdent-lē, -ˈden-t^əl-ē\ also ac·ci·dent·ly \-ˈdent-lē\ adverb

— ac·ci·den·tal·ness \-ˈden-t^əl-nəs\ noun

synonyms accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction. accidental stresses chance <any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental>. fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause <a series of fortuitous events>. casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent <a casual encounter with a stranger>. contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence <the contingent effects of the proposed law>.