WordDream · Your AI dictionary

inadvertently

English → EnglishformalInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "inadvertently": Inadvertently describes an action performed without intention or awareness. The mental image is of s

What does "inadvertently" mean?

Inadvertently describes an action performed without intention or awareness. The mental image is of someone walking down a path and accidentally stepping on a flower; they didn't mean to crush it, it simply happened as a byproduct of their movement. It is a formal adverb often used to explain mistakes, oversights, or unintended consequences. You will frequently see it paired with verbs like "omitted," "deleted," or "revealed," serving as a polite way to soften the blow of a blunder by emphasizing that no malice was intended.

"inadvertently" in conversation

Workplace mishap

Did you see the report? You left out the entire budget section.

Did you see the report? You left out the entire budget section.

Oh no, I must have inadvertently deleted it during the final edit.

Oh no, I must have inadvertently deleted it during the final edit.

Using 'inadvertently' helps Mark sound professional rather than just careless.

Social blunder

Why is everyone looking at me?

Why is everyone looking at me?

You inadvertently sent your private draft to the whole group chat.

You inadvertently sent your private draft to the whole group chat.

This highlights the 'unintentional' aspect of the action.

"inadvertently" in a sentence

  1. I inadvertently dropped my keys down the drain.

    I inadvertently dropped my keys down the drain.

  2. The software update inadvertently caused a system-wide crash.

    The software update inadvertently caused a system-wide crash.

  3. He inadvertently revealed the surprise party plans during dinner.

    He inadvertently revealed the surprise party plans during dinner.

Not another dictionary

An AI-native multilingual dictionary: decode the words other dictionaries can't handle.

WordDream explains every word the way a teacher would, with real-life scenes, graded examples, audio and a picture. It also covers what traditional dictionaries miss: names, places, proper nouns, internet slang, and words that don't translate.

And it isn't just English. Look up words in any language, keep a multilingual Notebook, and turn your saved words into stories with Spin a yarn.

Try WordDream: Look up a wordOpen “inadvertently” in WordDream

Free account · sign in to use features

More everyday & curious words

Browse the whole set in Everyday & Curious Words.

Explained by WordDream, an AI-native multilingual dictionary.