What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accident
Example
I had an accident on my way to work this morning. [accident: noun]
Example
He accidentally spilled coffee on his shirt. [accidentally: adverb]
disaster
Example
The earthquake was a disaster for the city. [disaster: noun]
Example
The hurricane caused a disaster for the coastal communities. [disaster: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accident is more commonly used than disaster in everyday language. Accident is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while disaster is less common and is typically used to describe catastrophic events.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accident and disaster?
While accident is typically associated with a neutral or informal tone, disaster is more formal and is often used in serious or professional contexts.
