Accidentally is the correct and standard spelling, while accidently is generally considered a misspelling. If you’ve come across both “accidentally” and “accidently” and wondered which one to use, the difference is mainly about correct spelling and standard English usage. The word is commonly connected with unintentional actions, mistakes, errors, unexpected events, and things that happen by accident.
The accidentally vs accidently distinction is simple: accidentally is the standard adverb formed from accidental, meaning “by accident” or “unintentionally.” Accidently is not the accepted standard spelling in modern English. Although it may appear in informal writing or as a spelling error, accidentally is the form you should use in school, work, formal writing, and everyday communication.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether “accidentally” or “accidently” is correct, what each form means, why “accidently” is often misspelled, and how to use “accidentally” correctly in sentences. You’ll also see clear examples, spelling rules, and related words to make the difference easy to remember.
By the end, you’ll know exactly why “accidentally” is correct, why “accidently” is incorrect in standard English, and how to use the correct spelling naturally and confidently.
Accidentally vs Accidently: Quick Answer
Accidentally is the standard spelling.
Accidently is a documented variant spelling, but it is much less common and is labeled obsolete by Collins. Dictionary.com also records it as a variation of accidentally.
So, if you are wondering which form to use in formal or everyday modern writing, choose accidentally.
The easiest rule
Remember the word family:
accident → accidental → accidentally
The final form keeps the al from accidental before -ly.
For example:
- I accidentally deleted the file.
- She accidentally sent the message to the wrong person.
- We accidentally took the same train.
- He accidentally broke the glass.
Writing accidently may still be understood because it represents a recorded variant, but it is not the safest choice when you want conventional modern spelling.
Accidentally vs Accidently: Spelling Comparison
The difference is only two letters, but those letters make a noticeable difference in standard written English.
| Feature | Accidentally | Accidently |
| Spelling | a-c-c-i-d-e-n-t-a-l-l-y | a-c-c-i-d-e-n-t-l-y |
| Part of speech | Adverb | Adverb |
| Basic meaning | By chance or unintentionally | By chance or unintentionally |
| Derived from | accidental + -ly | Variant form |
| Dictionary status | Standard spelling | Variant; obsolete in Collins |
| Common in modern writing | Yes | Much less common |
| Recommended for formal writing | Yes | No |
| Common spelling choice | Accidentally | Avoid when possible |
One reason this pair causes confusion is pronunciation. In ordinary speech, the middle part of accidentally can be difficult to hear clearly. The word is often pronounced quickly, which can make the al seem less noticeable.
That creates a natural temptation to write accidently.
Still, spelling does not always follow the shortest pronunciation. The conventional written form is accidentally, and dictionaries trace it to accidental + -ly.
What Does Accidentally Mean?
Accidentally is an adverb meaning by chance, by mistake, or without intending to do something.
Collins defines it in terms of something happening by chance or as the result of an accident rather than being deliberately intended.
Dictionary.com gives the closely related meaning “by chance or mistake” and also records a less common sense meaning “in a nonessential or subsidiary way.”
In ordinary conversation, however, the most useful meaning is straightforward:
Accidentally = without intending to do something.
Consider these examples:
- I accidentally locked the door.
- She accidentally deleted the photograph.
- He accidentally stepped on my foot.
- We accidentally met at the airport.
- The child accidentally knocked over the cup.
In each sentence, the action was not intended.
Accidentally as “By Mistake”
The word frequently describes an action that happens because someone makes an error.
For example:
I accidentally attached the wrong document to the email.
The person intended to attach a document, but selected the wrong one.
Another example:
She accidentally typed the wrong number.
Here, the mistake was unintentional.
This sense often overlaps with by mistake, although the two expressions are not grammatically identical. Accidentally is an adverb, while by mistake is a prepositional phrase functioning adverbially.
Accidentally as “By Chance”
The word can also describe something that happens without being planned.
For example:
I accidentally discovered an old photograph while cleaning the attic.
The person did not intend to discover the photograph. The discovery happened during another activity.
Similarly:
We accidentally found a small bookstore while walking around downtown.
The bookstore was not part of the original plan.
In both examples, accidentally emphasizes the unplanned nature of the event.
Why Is Accidentally Spelled With “al”?
The spelling becomes easier once you look at the word’s structure.
The usual formation is:
accident → accidental → accidentally
The noun accident becomes the adjective accidental. The adverb is then formed by adding -ly:
accidental + ly = accidentally
That gives the standard spelling:
a-c-c-i-d-e-n-t-a-l-l-y
Dictionary.com explicitly identifies accidentally as being derived from accidental + -ly.
Accident + Accidental + Accidentally
Think of the three related forms as a word family:
| Word | Part of speech | Example |
| accident | Noun | The accident happened yesterday. |
| accidental | Adjective | The damage was accidental. |
| accidentally | Adverb | He accidentally caused the damage. |
This pattern helps explain why removing al produces the shorter accidently.
The standard adverb is not normally formed directly by taking accident and adding -ly. Instead, it follows the adjective accidental.
That is why accidentally is the spelling to remember.
Why People Write Accidently
There are several practical reasons people may produce the shorter spelling.
First, accidentally is a relatively long word, and its pronunciation can make the middle letters easy to overlook.
Second, writers may instinctively form the adverb directly from accident, producing something like:
accident + ly → accidently
That looks superficially logical, but it does not represent the standard spelling.
Third, accidently has genuine dictionary evidence. Dictionary.com identifies it as a variation of accidentally, and its dictionary page provides examples of the form appearing in published sources.
Consequently, calling accidently a completely meaningless spelling would be too simplistic.
The more useful distinction is this:
Accidently exists as a recorded variant, but accidentally is the conventional modern spelling you should normally use.
Is Accidently a Correct Word?
The answer depends on what you mean by “correct.”
If “correct” means a spelling that has appeared in English and is recorded by dictionaries, then accidently has a legitimate history. Dictionary.com lists it as a variation of accidentally.
If “correct” means the standard spelling you should choose for modern formal writing, then accidentally is the better answer.
Collins is particularly clear on this point. Its entry describes accidently as “a variant (now obsolete) of accidentally.”
Dictionary.com takes a somewhat different approach, describing accidently as a variation and noting that it is less common.
That difference in dictionary labeling is worth understanding.
Dictionary Record vs Preferred Usage
A dictionary can document a form without recommending it as your first choice in contemporary writing.
Historical or variant forms can survive in dictionaries because they have genuine usage evidence. That does not necessarily mean they are equally common, equally modern, or equally suitable for formal prose.
For accidently, the practical conclusion is simple:
Use “accidentally” unless you have a specific reason to reproduce the variant form.
That recommendation works for schoolwork, professional communication, academic writing, websites, reports, and most edited content.
Accidentally Meaning and Usage
The most common modern use of accidentally involves an action that happened without intention.
The word can describe physical actions, mistakes, discoveries, communications, and unexpected encounters.
Accidentally in Everyday Actions
Here are some natural examples:
- I accidentally dropped my phone.
- She accidentally spilled coffee on the table.
- He accidentally closed the browser.
- They accidentally locked themselves outside.
- I accidentally pressed the wrong button.
Each sentence describes an action that happened unintentionally.
Accidentally in Digital Communication
Modern communication provides many common situations in which accidentally appears.
For example:
I accidentally sent the message before I finished writing it.
Or:
She accidentally forwarded the private email to the entire team.
The word is especially useful when distinguishing an unintended digital action from a deliberate one.
Compare:
I accidentally deleted the folder.
with:
I intentionally deleted the folder.
The two sentences differ mainly in the speaker’s intention.
Accidentally in Discoveries
Not every accidental event is a mistake.
Sometimes something happens by chance and produces a useful result.
For example:
The researchers accidentally discovered an unexpected pattern in the data.
Here, the discovery itself was not necessarily a mistake. The point is that the researchers were not specifically looking for that result.
This is an important distinction because accidentally can describe an unexpected discovery without suggesting that the person did something wrong.
Accidentally vs Accidently in a Sentence
Seeing the two forms in context makes the difference easier to remember.
Examples With Accidentally
Here are examples using the standard spelling:
- I accidentally deleted the email.
- She accidentally took my notebook home.
- He accidentally clicked the wrong link.
- We accidentally arrived at the wrong station.
- The glass was accidentally knocked off the table.
- I accidentally revealed the surprise.
- They accidentally entered the wrong room.
- She accidentally copied an outdated version of the file.
- He accidentally called the wrong number.
- The children accidentally damaged the painting.
- I accidentally left my keys in the car.
- We accidentally met again several years later.
In all of these sentences, accidentally functions as an adverb and tells the reader that the action was unintentional or happened by chance.
Examples With Accidently
You may encounter sentences such as:
He accidently deleted the file.
or:
She accidently sent the message to the wrong person.
The meaning is clear, but accidently is not the form you should normally select for contemporary standard writing.
Because dictionaries differ in how they label the variant, it is more accurate to call it a recorded variant rather than simply pretending that no one has ever used it. Dictionary.com’s entry includes examples from published sources, while Collins classifies the form as obsolete.
Accidentally vs Accidently: Common Spelling Mistakes
The most common problem is simply dropping the al:
accidently ❌ for standard modern usage
accidentally ✅
Other forms can also appear when writers are unsure about the repeated letters.
Common Forms to Watch For
| Form | Recommended? | Reason |
| accidentally | Yes | Standard spelling |
| accidently | Generally no | Recorded variant; uncommon/obsolete depending on dictionary |
| accidentaly | No | Misses one l |
| accidentalley | No | Adds an incorrect ending |
| accidentallyy | No | Adds an unnecessary y |
| accidental | Depends on sentence | Correct adjective, not the adverb |
The last distinction is especially important.
Accidental and accidentally are both correct words, but they do different grammatical jobs.
Compare:
The damage was accidental.
Here, accidental is an adjective describing the damage.
Now compare:
He caused the damage accidentally.
Here, accidentally is an adverb describing how the action happened.
Collins lists accidental as an adjective and accidentally as its derived adverb.
Accidentally vs Accidently in American and British English
Accidentally is not a case where American English and British English use two different standard spellings.
The main modern form is accidentally in both varieties.
Collins provides British and American pronunciations for accidentally, while its entry for accidently describes the shorter form as a variant now considered obsolete in British English.
Therefore, it would be misleading to say:
- American English = accidentally
- British English = accidently
That is not a reliable spelling rule.
Instead, the useful distinction is between the standard modern form and the less common historical/variant form.
Is Accidently an American Spelling?
No. It should not be treated as an American spelling equivalent to accidentally.
The shorter form has appeared in published English-language sources, and Dictionary.com currently records it as a variation.
At the same time, that does not make it the preferred American spelling.
For American English writing, accidentally remains the straightforward choice.
Is Accidently a British Spelling?
It is also not appropriate to label accidently as the normal British spelling.
Collins specifically labels the form as a variant that is now obsolete.
If you are writing for a British audience, accidentally is still the safe standard form.
How to Remember the Spelling of Accidentally
The easiest memory trick is to learn the word in stages:
ACCIDENT → ACCIDENTAL → ACCIDENTALLY
Do not try to memorize the entire long word as one unit.
Start with:
accident
Add -al:
accidental
Then add -ly:
accidentally
This produces:
accidental + ly = accidentally
Dictionary.com also offers a spelling tip centered on remembering the doubled c and l in the standard form.
A Simple Spelling Pattern
You can also compare accidentally with related adverbs:
| Adjective | Adverb |
| accidental | accidentally |
| incidental | incidentally |
| fundamental | fundamentally |
| coincidental | coincidentally |
These examples demonstrate why retaining the adjective’s structure before adding -ly can help.
For accidentally, remember:
accidental + ly
not:
accident + ly
That one distinction solves most spelling problems with this word.
Accidentally Synonyms
Several words and phrases can replace accidentally, but the best choice depends on the context.
Unintentionally
Unintentionally is one of the closest alternatives.
She unintentionally offended him.
This emphasizes a lack of intention.
Inadvertently
Inadvertently is also closely related to accidentally, particularly when an action happens because someone was unaware, inattentive, or failed to notice something.
He inadvertently revealed confidential information.
Collins defines inadvertently as acting unintentionally and also connects it with oversight or lack of attention.
By Accident
By accident is a common phrase with essentially the same core idea in many contexts.
I found the document by accident.
This can often be rewritten as:
I found the document accidentally.
The exact wording may affect style and emphasis, but the basic meaning is similar.
By Mistake
By mistake works particularly well when an error is involved.
I sent the invoice to the wrong customer by mistake.
You could also write:
I accidentally sent the invoice to the wrong customer.
Unknowingly
Unknowingly emphasizes that someone did not know what they were doing or did not realize a particular fact.
He unknowingly entered a restricted area.
That is slightly different from accidentally, so the words should not always be treated as interchangeable.
Accidentally vs Intentionally
One of the clearest ways to understand accidentally is to compare it with its opposite.
| Accidentally | Intentionally |
| Without intending to | With intention |
| By chance | By design |
| Unplanned | Planned |
| Not deliberate | Deliberate |
| Often unexpected | Expected or desired |
Consider these two sentences:
Maya accidentally deleted the report.
Maya intentionally deleted the report.
The first sentence says the deletion was unintended. The second says it was deliberate.
Another pair makes the distinction even clearer:
We accidentally met at the airport.
We intentionally met at the airport.
The first meeting happened unexpectedly. The second was arranged or planned.
This contrast also shows why accidentally is an adverb. It modifies the action and explains how or under what circumstances that action occurred.
Accidentally vs Incidentally
These words sometimes appear near each other, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence.
Accidentally generally describes something happening unintentionally or by chance.
Incidentally can mean something additional, secondary, or related only loosely to the main subject. It can also introduce a side comment in conversation.
Compare:
I accidentally deleted the file.
The deletion was unintended.
Now consider:
Incidentally, the meeting has been moved to Friday.
Here, incidentally introduces additional information. It does not mean that the meeting was moved by accident.
Dictionary.com recognizes a second sense of accidentally meaning “in a nonessential or subsidiary way,” but that use is less central to everyday modern usage.
For ordinary writing, context should determine whether accidentally, inadvertently, incidentally, or another alternative is appropriate.
Accidentally vs Accidently: A Practical Usage Test
When proofreading your writing, use this quick test.
If You Mean “By Mistake”
Use:
accidentally
I accidentally deleted the file.
If You Mean “By Chance”
Use:
accidentally
We accidentally discovered the old road.
If You Mean “Deliberately”
Do not use accidentally.
Use something such as:
intentionally, deliberately, or purposely.
She intentionally changed the setting.
If You Mean “As a Side Point”
Consider:
incidentally
Incidentally, the deadline has changed.
These distinctions prevent you from replacing every similar concept with one word.
Case Study: Choosing the Right Form in a Professional Email
Imagine that an employee sends a confidential document to the wrong colleague.
The employee might write:
I accidently sent the previous version of the report.
The reader will probably understand the sentence, but the spelling is less conventional.
A polished version would be:
I accidentally sent the previous version of the report.
Why is the second version preferable?
Accidentally is the standard modern spelling and therefore avoids distracting the reader with an unusual variant. That matters particularly in professional communication, where conventional spelling makes the message easier to edit and review.
The same principle applies to:
- cover letters
- academic assignments
- business reports
- website copy
- customer emails
- resumes
- formal applications
- published articles
The goal is not merely to make the sentence understandable. Standard spelling makes the writing look deliberate and polished.
Case Study: When Accidentally Does Not Mean “By Mistake”
Consider this sentence:
The researchers accidentally discovered a new pattern.
It would be inaccurate to assume that the researchers made an error.
Here, accidentally can mean that the discovery happened unexpectedly or without being planned.
This is consistent with dictionary definitions that include both chance and lack of intention. Collins describes accidentally as something happening by chance or as a result of an accident and not being deliberately intended.
Therefore, the word can describe a surprising discovery without suggesting careless behavior.
Accidentally vs Accidently: Final Comparison
Here is the complete answer in one table:
| Question | Answer |
| Which spelling is standard? | Accidentally |
| What does accidentally mean? | By chance, by mistake, or unintentionally |
| Is accidently a word? | It is a recorded variant |
| Is accidently commonly preferred today? | No |
| Does Collins recognize accidently? | Yes, as a variant now described as obsolete |
| Does Dictionary.com recognize accidently? | Yes, as a variation of accidentally |
| Should you use accidently in formal writing? | Generally, no |
| Is accidentally used in American English? | Yes |
| Is accidentally used in British English? | Yes |
| Is accidently specifically British or American? | No |
| What is the easiest spelling rule? | accidental + ly = accidentally |
The dictionary evidence explains why a simple “right versus wrong” answer does not tell the whole story.
Accidentally is the standard modern choice. Accidently has genuine dictionary and usage history, but its status is weaker, and Collins specifically marks it as obsolete.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accidentally vs Accidently
Is accidentally or accidently correct?
Accidentally is the standard spelling recommended for modern writing. Accidently is recorded as a variant, although Collins labels it obsolete.
Is accidently a real word?
Yes. Accidently has dictionary evidence. Dictionary.com lists it as a variation of accidentally, while Collins describes it as a variant that is now obsolete.
Is accidently acceptable in formal writing?
It is better to use accidentally in formal writing. The standard spelling is more familiar to contemporary readers and avoids the appearance of a spelling mistake.
What is the meaning of accidentally?
Accidentally means by chance, by mistake, or without intending to do something. For example, “I accidentally deleted the file” means the deletion was not intentional.
How do you spell accidentally?
The standard spelling is:
A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T-A-L-L-Y
A useful way to remember it is:
accident → accidental → accidentally
Is accidently an American spelling?
No. Accidently should not be treated as the standard American alternative to accidentally. The conventional form is accidentally.
Is accidently a British spelling?
No. It is not the standard British spelling either. Collins records it as a variant that is now obsolete.
What is another word for accidentally?
Depending on the sentence, possible alternatives include:
- unintentionally
- inadvertently
- by accident
- by mistake
- unknowingly
- unexpectedly
These alternatives are related but can carry slightly different meanings.
What is the opposite of accidentally?
The clearest opposite is intentionally. Other possibilities include deliberately and purposely, depending on the sentence.
Why is accidentally so difficult to spell?
The word is long, and its pronunciation can make the middle letters less noticeable. Writers may therefore omit the al and produce accidently. The standard spelling follows accidental + -ly, which preserves the al.
Is accidental the same as accidentally?
No.
Accidental is an adjective:
The damage was accidental.
Accidentally is an adverb:
He caused the damage accidentally.
The first describes the nature of the damage. The second describes how the action happened.
Can accidentally mean by chance?
Yes. Accidentally can describe something that happens by chance or unexpectedly, as well as something done unintentionally.
Conclusion: Accidentally or Accidently?
When you need the standard modern spelling, choose accidentally.
The word means by chance, by mistake, or without intending to do something. Its spelling comes from the word family accident → accidental → accidentally, which explains why the al belongs in the standard form.
Accidently is more complicated than a simple typo label suggests. Dictionary.com records it as a variation of accidentally, and published examples of the form exist. Collins, however, classifies it as a variant that is now obsolete.
That gives you a practical rule that works in almost every modern writing situation:
Use “accidentally” when you want the standard spelling.
If you are writing an email, essay, report, article, application, or other edited text, accidentally is the clear choice.
Remember:
accidental + ly = accidentally
That small spelling pattern makes the word much easier to get right.
