Unintentional: meaning, definitions and examples

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unintentional

 

[ ˌʌnɪnˈtɛnʃənl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

mistake

Not done on purpose; accidental.

Synonyms

accidental, inadvertent, unplanned.

Examples of usage

  • It was an unintentional mistake.
  • She made an unintentional comment that offended him.
  • The unintentional touching of the painting caused damage.
Context #2 | Adjective

action

Not intended or planned; occurring without deliberate intent.

Synonyms

involuntary, unexpected, unplanned.

Examples of usage

  • Her unintentional laughter caught everyone's attention.
  • The unintentional bump into each other led to a conversation.

Etymology

The word 'unintentional' originated from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'intentional' which comes from the Latin word 'intentionalis'. The concept of unintentional actions or events has been recognized across different cultures and languages, reflecting the universal nature of human error and accidental occurrences. The term has been used in legal contexts, psychology, and everyday language to describe actions or events that occur without deliberate intent.

See also: intent, intention, intentional, intentions, intently.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,618, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.