Unintentional: meaning, definitions and examples
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unintentional
[ ˌʌnɪnˈtɛnʃənl ]
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.
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.
Word origin
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.