inadvertent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
    accidental.
    • with an inadvertent gesture she swept the vase off the table
    • accidental poisoning
    • an accidental shooting

WordNet

In`ad*vert"ent adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. inadvertant. See 2d In-, and Advert.
Definitions
  1. Not turning the mind to a matter; heedless; careless; negligent; inattentive.
    An inadvertent step may crush the snail That crawls at evening in the public path. Cowper.
    -- In`ad*vert"ent*ly, adv.

Webster 1913