What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accident
Example
The car accident caused a lot of damage. [accident: noun]
Example
She accidentally spilled coffee on her shirt. [accidentally: adverb]
misfortune
Example
It was a misfortune that the wedding got rained out. [misfortune: noun]
Example
He suffered a string of misfortunes that left him feeling down. [misfortunes: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accident is more commonly used than misfortune in everyday language. Accident is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while misfortune is less common and typically used in more serious situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accident and misfortune?
Both accident and misfortune can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, misfortune may be seen as more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
