What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adventitious
Example
The plant's adventitious roots grew out of the stem and into the soil. [adventitious: adjective]
Example
The discovery of the lost manuscript was an adventitious event that changed the course of history. [adventitious: adjective]
accidental
Example
The broken vase was an accidental result of the cat knocking it over. [accidental: adjective]
Example
I ran into my old friend at the grocery store by pure accident. [accidental: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accidental is more commonly used than adventitious in everyday language. Accidental is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while adventitious is less common and typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between adventitious and accidental?
Adventitious is more formal than accidental, which is more casual and informal. Therefore, adventitious is more appropriate for formal or technical writing, while accidental is more suitable for everyday language and informal contexts.
