adjective
Uncommon
unintentional
uh-nihn-TEHN-shuh-nuhl
Unintentional (adjective) means Done without meaning to; not deliberate. Example: “The insult was unintentional — he simply misspoke.”
adjective
1
Done without meaning to; not deliberate.
"The insult was unintentional — he simply misspoke."
"It was an unintentional error in the spreadsheet."
How to use unintentional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot done on purpose.
Common mistake
"Unintentional" describes the manner of an action (done without meaning to); "unintended" more often describes the result (a consequence nobody planned for).
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unintentional
- Superlative
- most unintentional
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The insult was _____ — he simply misspoke.
Etymology
From un- + intentional.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unintentional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for unintentional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “unintentional” mean?
The word “unintentional” means done without meaning to; not deliberate. In plain terms, not done on purpose.
How do you pronounce “unintentional”?
“Unintentional” is pronounced uh-nihn-TEHN-shuh-nuhl (/ˌʌnɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unintentional” in a sentence?
Here is “unintentional” used in a sentence: “The insult was unintentional — he simply misspoke.”
What is the opposite of “unintentional”?
The opposite of “unintentional” — its antonyms — is intentional.
What part of speech is “unintentional”?
“Unintentional” is an adjective.
Is “unintentional” a common word?
“Unintentional” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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