An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
She was involved in a serious car accident last week.
Six passengers were killed in the accident.
Synonyms: crash, smash, wreck, collision More Synonyms of accident
2. countable noun
If someone has an accident, something unpleasant happens to them that was not intended, sometimes causing injury or death.
5,000 people die every year because of accidents in the home.
The police say the killing of the young man was an accident.
Synonyms: misfortune, blow, disaster, tragedy More Synonyms of accident
3. variable noun [usu byN]
If something happens byaccident, it happens completely by chance.
She discovered the problem by accident.
Almost like an accident of nature, this family has produced more talent than seemspossible.
Synonyms: chance, fortune, luck, fate More Synonyms of accident
4.
See an accident waiting to happen
5.
See it's no accident
accident in British English
(ˈæksɪdənt)
noun
1.
an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause
2.
anything that occurs unintentionally or by chance; chance; fortune
I met him by accident
3.
a misfortune or mishap, esp one causing injury or death
4. Also called: adjunct logic, philosophy
a nonessential attribute or characteristic of something (as opposed to substance)
5. metaphysics
a property as contrasted with the substance in which it inheres
6. geology
a surface irregularity in a natural formation, esp in a rock formation or a river system
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Latin accident- chance, happening, from the present participle of accidere to befall, happen, from ad- to + cadere to fall
accident in American English
(ˈæksədənt)
noun
1.
a happening that is not expected, foreseen, or intended
2.
an unpleasant and unintended happening, sometimes resulting from negligence, that results in injury, loss, damage, etc.
3.
fortune; chance
to meet by accident
4.
an attribute or quality that is not essential
5. Geography and Geology
an irregular formation
6. Law
an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone's fault or negligence
Word origin
ME < OFr < L accidens, prp. of accidere, to fall upon, happen < ad-, to + cadere, to fall: see case1
COBUILD Collocations
accident
air accident
automobile accident
barring accidents
bike accident
boat accident
car accident
cause an accident
cycling accident
fatal accident
freak accident
horrible accident
horrific accident
minor accident
motorbike accident
motorcycle accident
serious accident
stage an accident
suffer an accident
terrible accident
tragic accident
Examples of 'accident' in a sentence
accident
This was a tragic accident as a result of an act of nature.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Until then there were accidents waiting to happen all over shop.
The Sun (2016)
It was unclear how many solo jumps she had undertaken before her fatal accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The way it behaved could have caused a serious accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We were looking at a very serious impending road accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was a freak accident.
The Sun (2016)
My feelings inside are it's as if my whole family and dogs have been in a car accident and all died.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They had to heave the eight-year-old Indian rhino with equipment normally used after accidents involving heavy vehicles or collapsed buildings.
The Sun (2016)
We set up roadside crosses and flowers at the scene of fatal traffic accidents.
Christianity Today (2000)
This house fire was a freak accident but was not unique.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The accident took place just after noon as the beach was packed with families enjoying the heatwave.
The Sun (2012)
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
Their intense relationship is tested by love and an accident which leaves one in a coma.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Police were treating his death as an accident.
The Sun (2013)
We have to have answers on what happened in this tragic accident.
The Sun (2014)
The cop in charge there thinks she died in an accident in the apartment.
The Sun (2012)
They are supposed to be used to warn us of queuing traffic or an accident ahead.
The Sun (2016)
The accident happened during the morning rush hour on one of the busiest roads into the capital.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The cause of the accident was unclear.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There have been accidents on the road in the past.
The Sun (2009)
Vehicles cannot gain sufficient momentum to cause a fatal accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The freak accident left her in a critical condition with multiple injuries.
The Sun (2010)
It appears to have been just an accident.
The Sun (2010)
The chair first appeared by accident on one of his early shows.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Police said they were treating the death as an accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The accident was a freak and tragic accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Many workers died from accidents and smallpox.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Any accident or injury that is caused should be fully placed on the shoulders of the escaping driver.
The Sun (2012)
Shell had to postpone drilling after a spill containment dome was damaged by an accident during testing in the summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Since her car accident, exercise has become a crucial part of life.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She is mainly confined to her bed, having suffered a serious car accident and a stroke.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The truck wasn't the only thing damaged in the accident.
The Sun (2008)
Quotations
Accidents will occur in the best-regulated familiesCharles DickensDavid Copperfield
now and then there is a person born who is so unlucky that he runs into accidents which started out to happen to somebody elseDon Marquisarchys life of mehitabel
In other languages
accident
British English: accident /ˈæksɪdənt/ NOUN
mishap An accident is something nasty that happens, and that hurts someone.
He broke his leg in a car accident.
American English: accident
Arabic: حادِثَة
Brazilian Portuguese: acidente
Chinese: 事故
Croatian: nezgoda
Czech: nehoda
Danish: uheld
Dutch: ongeluk
European Spanish: accidente
Finnish: onnettomuus
French: accident
German: Unfall
Greek: ατύχημα
Italian: incidente
Japanese: 事故
Korean: 사고 사건
Norwegian: ulykke
Polish: wypadek
European Portuguese: acidente
Romanian: accident
Russian: несчастный случай
Latin American Spanish: accidente
Swedish: olycka
Thai: อุบัติเหตุ
Turkish: kaza
Ukrainian: аварія
Vietnamese: tai nạn
British English: accident /ˈæksɪdənt/ NOUN
something unplanned If something happens by accident, you do not expect it to happen.
I dropped a cup by accident.
American English: accident
Arabic: مُصَادَقَة
Brazilian Portuguese: acidente
Chinese: 意外
Croatian: slučajno
Czech: náhoda
Danish: uheld
Dutch: ongeluk
European Spanish: accidente
Finnish: vahinko
French: par hasard
German: versehentlich
Greek: ατύχημα
Italian: incidente
Japanese: 思いがけず
Korean: 우연
Norwegian: feil
Polish: wypadek
European Portuguese: acidente
Romanian: greșeală
Russian: случайно
Latin American Spanish: accidentesin intención
Swedish: råka
Thai: โดยบังเอิญ
Turkish: kazayla
Ukrainian: випадковість
Vietnamese: vô tình
All related terms of 'accident'
accident unit
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment
air accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
bike accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
boat accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
car accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage .
road accident
a traffic accident involving vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists
accident-prone
If you describe someone or something as accident prone , you mean that a lot of accidents or other unpleasant things happen to them.
fatal accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
freak accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
minor accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
street accident
a traffic accident
tragic accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
accident blackspot
a place on a road where accidents frequently occur
accident insurance
insurance providing compensation for accidental injury or death
accident proneness
the unconscious tendency , thought to exist in some people, to involve themselves in a large number of accidents
cerebral accident
a disturbance of the blood supply to parts of the brain because of blockage or hemorrhage, causing unconsciousness , paralysis , etc.; stroke
climbing accident
an accident occurring during climbing
cycling accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
horrible accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
horrific accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage .
motorbike accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
serious accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
terrible accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
accident prevention
avoidance of the occurrence of an accident
accident protection
a form of insurance which pays out in the event of an accident when driving
automobile accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage .
cause an accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage .
industrial accident
an accident that happens to an employee of an industrial company during the course of their work
it's no accident
You begin a sentence with ' it's no accident ' if you want to suggest that something was done deliberately or has a logical explanation , although it might give the impression of having happened by chance.
motorcycle accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage .
report an accident
If you report an accident , you inform an insurer or the police or other authorities that an accident has occurred.
stage an accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
suffer an accident
An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage.
cerebrovascular accident
a sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain caused by rupture of an artery in the brain ( cerebral haemorrhage ) or the blocking of a blood vessel, as by a clot of blood ( cerebral occlusion )
road traffic accident
an accident involving vehicles
accident and emergency
The accident and emergency is the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment. The abbreviation → A & E is also used.
accident-free discount
An accident-free discount is a discount on insurance payments that is available to drivers who have no accidents where they are at fault over a particular period of time.
hit-and-run accident
a motor-vehicle accident in which the driver leaves the scene without stopping to give assistance , inform the police, etc
personal accident insurance
accident which covers personal accidents
accident and emergency department
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment
accident and emergency unit
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment
an accident waiting to happen
If you describe something or someone as an accident waiting to happen , you mean that they are likely to be a cause of danger in the future, for example because they are in poor condition or behave in an unpredictable way.
MVA
An MVA happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage .
Chinese translation of 'accident'
accident
(ˈæksɪdənt)
n(c)
(involving vehicle) 事故 (shìgù) (起, qǐ)
(= mishap) 意外 (yìwài) (个(個), gè)
(= chance event) 偶然事件 (ǒurán shìjiàn) (次, cì)
to have an accident出事故 (chū shìgù)
to meet with an accident出事故 (chū shìgù)
by accident (= unintentionally) 无(無)意中 (wúyì zhōng) (= by chance) 偶然 (ǒurán)
the accident could have been caused by an oil leak
事故可能是由石油泄(洩)漏引起的 shìgù kěnéng shì yóu shíyóu xièlòu yǐnqǐ de
A & E
accident and emergency 急诊(診)室 jízhěnshì [ 美 = ER ]
1 (noun)
Definition
an unpleasant event that causes damage, injury, or death
She was involved in a serious car accident last week.
Synonyms
crash
a car crash
smash
He was near to death after a car smash.
wreck
He was badly injured in a car wreck.
collision
Their van was involved in a collision with a car.
pile-up (informal)
a 54-car pile-up
smash-up (informal)
2 (noun)
5,000 people die every year because of accidents in the home.
Synonyms
misfortune
He had had his full share of misfortunes.
blow
The ruling comes as a blow to environmentalists.
disaster
the second air disaster in less than two months
tragedy
They have suffered an enormous personal tragedy.
casualty
setback
He has suffered a serious setback in his political career.
calamity
This course of action could only end in calamity.
mishap
After a number of mishaps she finally managed to get back home.
misadventure
a verdict of death by misadventure
mischance
By some mischance, she injured her knee again.
stroke of bad luck
3 (noun)
Definition
an unforeseen event or one without apparent cause
She discovered the problem by accident.
Synonyms
chance
I met him quite by chance.
fortune
Such good fortune must be shared with my friends.
luck
The goal owed more to luck than good planning.
fate
I see no use quarrelling with fate.
hazard
coincidence
By an amazing coincidence, their sons were all born on the same day.
fluke
The discovery was something of a fluke.
fortuity
Quotations
Accidents will occur in the best-regulated families [Charles Dickens – David Copperfield]now and then there is a person born who is so unlucky that he runs into accidents which started out to happen to somebody else [Don Marquis – archys life of mehitabel]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blow
Definition
a sudden setback
The ruling comes as a blow to environmentalists.
Synonyms
setback,
shock,
upset,
disaster,
reverse,
disappointment,
catastrophe,
misfortune,
jolt,
bombshell,
calamity,
affliction,
whammy (informal),
choker (informal),
sucker punch,
bummer (slang),
bolt from the blue,
comedown (informal)
in the sense of calamity
Definition
a disaster or misfortune
This course of action could only end in calamity.
Synonyms
disaster,
tragedy,
ruin,
distress,
reversal of fortune,
hardship,
catastrophe,
woe,
misfortune,
downfall,
adversity,
scourge,
mishap,
affliction,
trial,
tribulation,
misadventure,
cataclysm,
wretchedness,
mischance
in the sense of coincidence
Definition
a chance occurrence of simultaneous or apparently connected events
By an amazing coincidence, their sons were all born on the same day.