The discovery of the ancient pottery was accidental, occurring during a routine geological survey.
这批古代陶器的发现是偶然的，发生在一次例行地质调查中。
- Lonnie Johnson, a former NASA engineer, accidentally invented a powerful water gun design while working on an unrelated cooling system experiment in 1982.
From a Rhetorical Synthesis question · Expression of Ideas
- The microwave oven was accidentally discovered in 1945 by engineer Percy Spencer while he was testing radar equipment.
From a Rhetorical Synthesis question · Expression of Ideas
Which choice best defines “accidental”?
C — Happening by chance, not planned. “accidental” means happening by chance, not planned.
Which word means “happening by chance, not planned”?
D — accidental. “accidental” means happening by chance, not planned.
accidental — happening by chance, not planned. In Chinese: 偶然的，意外的.
accidental is pronounced /ˌæksɪˈdɛntl/.
The discovery of the ancient pottery was accidental, occurring during a routine geological survey. (这批古代陶器的发现是偶然的，发生在一次例行地质调查中。)
unintentional, fortuitous, chance — all close in meaning to accidental (happening by chance, not planned).
deliberate, intentional — each the opposite of accidental (happening by chance, not planned).
Yes. accidental is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.