accident

Universal Words noun 1 [C] an unpleasant event, especially in a vehicle, that happens unexpectedly and causes injury or damage: a car / road / traffic accident * He was killed in an accident. * One in seven accidents is caused by sleepy drivers. * The accident happened at 3 p.m. * to have an accident * a serious / minor accident * a fatal accident (= in which sb is killed) * accidents in the home * a climbing / riding accident * (BrE) the hospital accident and emergency department * Take out accident insurance before you go on your trip. * I didn't mean to break it-it was an accident. 2 [C,U] something that happens unexpectedly and is not planned in advance: Their early arrival was just an accident. * It is no accident that men fill most of the top jobs in nursing. * an accident of birth / fate / history (= describing facts and events that are due to chance or circumstances) IDIOMS accidents will happen people say accidents will happen to tell sb who has had an accident, for example breaking sth, that it does not matter and they should not worry by accident in a way that is not planned or organized: We met by accident at the airport. * Helen got into acting purely by accident. moreatCHAPTER, WAITv. \