WordValeinadvertent
not resulting from deliberate intent; accidental
In more detail
1. (adjective) done or said by accident, without intending it
2. (adjective) not paying attention; careless
Examples
- 1. The email was sent to the wrong person by inadvertent human error.
- 2. His inadvertent remark about her appearance made everyone uncomfortable.
How to use inadvertent
Inadvertent describes something that happens by accident or without deliberate intention, often carrying a sense of oversight or carelessness. It is more formal than 'accidental' and is commonly used in professional, legal, or technical contexts. The word implies that the action was unplanned but often preventable with proper attention.
Common phrases
- inadvertent mistake
- inadvertent disclosure
- inadvertent offense
- inadvertent consequence
- inadvertent breach
Synonyms
unintentional · accidental · unintended · unwitting · negligent
Opposites
intentional · deliberate · careful
Word family
inadvertently (adverb) · inadvertence (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse inadvertent (unintentional) with inadmissible or use it to mean 'inattentive' when the primary sense is 'unintentional'; the careless interpretation is secondary.
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