unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al

ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl

 

: not done by intention or design : not intentional

an unintentional effect

causing unintentional harm/offense

unintentionally adverb

an unintentionally offensive remark

Synonyms

• accidental
• casual
• chance
• fluky
• flukey
• fortuitous
• inadvertent
• incidental
• unintended
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unwitting

Examples of unintentional in a Sentence

an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall

an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful

Recent Examples on the Web

That same year, the Beatles gave the vehicle a major, although perhaps unintentional, endorsement. —Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Feb. 2025

Of course, the unintentional gross-out performance did nothing to stop Ferguson's Hollywood ascent. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Consuming too much oil may cause unintentional weight gain or interfere with weight loss goals. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025

Customers who respond on LG’s website will get a warning label that comes with placement instructions and a reminder for customers to push a lock button when the range isn’t in use to prevent unintentional activation of the stove. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above