Have you ever typed “accidently” and wondered whether you missed a letter? You are not alone. The words accidently or accidentally look almost identical, and the shorter version can feel natural when you say it aloud.
The correct and standard spelling is accidentally. The word accidently does appear in dictionaries as a historical or variant form, but it is much less common and is often treated as nonstandard or an error in modern writing. Merriam-Webster specifically describes accidently as far less common than accidentally.
In this guide, you will learn the difference between accidently and accidentally, what each form means, how to use the correct spelling in a sentence, and a simple memory trick that makes the spelling easier to remember.
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Accidently or Accidentally: Which One Is Correct?
The short answer is simple: accidentally is the standard spelling you should use in modern English.
The Correct Spelling Is “Accidentally”
Accidentally is the standard adverb formed from accidental. It means doing something unintentionally, by mistake, or without planning to do it.
For example:
- I accidentally deleted the message.
- She accidentally broke the glass.
- He accidentally sent the email to the wrong person.
- We accidentally took the wrong train.
Cambridge Dictionary defines accidentally as doing something “by chance or by mistake.”
Is “Accidently” Completely Wrong?
Not exactly. Accidently is a real word form that has appeared in English for centuries, and Merriam-Webster has an entry for it. However, it is far less common than accidentally and is sometimes cited as an error.
So, if you are writing an essay, email, article, report, application, or professional message, choose accidentally.
Quick Answer
| Spelling | Status | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Accidentally | Standard and preferred | Formal and everyday writing |
| Accidently | Variant, much less common | Generally avoid in standard writing |
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Why Is Accidentally the Correct Spelling?
Understanding how the word is built can make its spelling much easier to remember.
Accident → Accidental → Accidentally
The word develops naturally through these forms:
accident → accidental → accidentally
The noun accident refers to an unexpected event or something that happens unintentionally.
The adjective accidental describes something that happens unexpectedly or without intention.
The adverb accidentally tells us that an action happened unintentionally.
For example:
The accident was accidental.
A more natural sentence would be:
She accidentally dropped her phone.
The extra al in accidental carries over when -ly is added:
accidental + ly = accidentally
The Spelling Breakdown
Look at the word carefully:
ACCIDENT + AL + LY = ACCIDENTALLY
This is why dropping the al and writing accidently is usually considered a spelling mistake in modern standard English.
Merriam-Webster explains that accidentally starts with accident, adds al to make accidental, and then adds ly to form the adverb.
A Simple Memory Trick
Try this:
Accidental has “al,” so accidentally keeps “al.”
Think:
accident → accidental → accidentally
If you remember the middle form, the final spelling becomes much easier.
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What Does Accidentally Mean?
Accidentally means doing something without intending to do it, usually because of a mistake, chance, or unexpected action.
Accidentally Meaning
In simple English:
Accidentally = by accident or by mistake
For example:
- I accidentally spilled the coffee.
- She accidentally called the wrong number.
- They accidentally locked the door.
- He accidentally deleted the important file.
Cambridge gives the closely related expressions “by accident” and “by mistake” as ways to express the same general idea.
Accidentally as an Adverb
Accidentally is an adverb because it describes how an action happened.
Compare:
- Accidental = adjective
- Accidentally = adverb
Examples:
Adjective:
It was an accidental mistake.
Adverb:
I accidentally made the mistake.
The distinction is useful because it helps you choose the correct grammatical form in a sentence.
Synonyms of Accidentally
Depending on the sentence, useful alternatives include:
- unintentionally
- inadvertently
- by accident
- by mistake
- unintentionally
- unknowingly
For example:
I accidentally deleted the file.
can also become:
I deleted the file by mistake.
However, accidentally is often the simplest and most natural choice.
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Accidently vs Accidentally: Examples in Real Writing
Seeing the two forms side by side makes the difference much clearer.
Correct Examples With Accidentally
Here are some everyday examples:
- I accidentally left my keys at home.
- She accidentally clicked the wrong button.
- He accidentally revealed the surprise.
- We accidentally ordered two pizzas.
- The child accidentally spilled the juice.
- I accidentally opened the wrong document.
- They accidentally missed the meeting.
- She accidentally deleted the photo.
Common Mistake: Accidently
These sentences contain the less-preferred spelling:
- I accidently deleted the email.
- She accidently broke the cup.
- He accidently pressed the button.
For standard writing, change them to:
- I accidentally deleted the email.
- She accidentally broke the cup.
- He accidentally pressed the button.
Accidentally in Professional Writing
In workplace communication, spelling mistakes can distract readers from your main message.
Instead of:
I accidently attached the wrong document.
Write:
I accidentally attached the wrong document.
Instead of:
The information was accidently shared with the wrong team.
Write:
The information was accidentally shared with the wrong team.
The second versions are the safer choices for professional, academic, and published writing.
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Accidentally or Accidently: 2025–2026 Usage Evidence
Modern dictionary evidence gives a clear picture: accidentally remains the preferred standard form, while accidently is much less common.
What Recent Dictionary Data Shows
Merriam-Webster’s accidently entry was updated in January 2026 and states that the form has been used since the 18th century but is far less common than accidentally. Its entry for accidentally was also updated in March 2026.
A useful 2025 example is also visible in Merriam-Webster’s accidently entry: its automatically compiled recent examples include uses from publications in July, September, and October 2025. This shows that accidently still occurs in real-world published text, even though it is not the preferred form.
Google’s Ngram Viewer also allows researchers to compare the historical occurrence of accidently and accidentally in its book corpus. Google notes that its July 2024 dataset update added a newer dataset and that Ngram charts represent occurrences in a corpus of books rather than general internet usage.
2026 Evidence Snapshot
| Evidence | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Merriam-Webster 2026 entry | Accidently exists but is far less common |
| Merriam-Webster 2026 entry | Accidentally is the established standard form |
| 2025 published examples | Accidently still appears occasionally |
| Google Ngram data | Both forms have historical usage, with accidentally much more established |
Important: Dictionary and corpus evidence should not be confused with current Google search-volume statistics. There is no need to invent a search-volume percentage to establish the spelling. The authoritative evidence is enough: use accidentally in standard modern English.
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A Real-Life Example: Why One Extra Syllable Matters
Imagine you are working on an important report for your manager. You finish the document, attach it to an email, and quickly type:
“I accidently attached the previous version.”
The sentence is understandable, but the spelling immediately stands out to a careful reader. You check the word and realize that the standard form is:
“I accidentally attached the previous version.”
The meaning has not changed at all. The only difference is the spelling, but that small detail can affect how polished the message looks.
Now consider a student writing an essay. They might naturally type accidently because that is close to how the word sounds when spoken quickly. However, remembering the word family solves the problem:
accident → accidental → accidentally
The same trick works in everyday situations. If you accidentally send a message to the wrong person, accidentally drop your phone, or accidentally misspell a word, the adverb still contains -ally.
This example highlights an important writing lesson: sometimes a word looks correct because it sounds correct. That does not always mean its spelling follows the standard form. Checking the word family is a quick way to catch these errors before they appear in schoolwork, business writing, or published content.
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How to Remember the Correct Spelling
A good memory trick should be simple enough to use when you are writing quickly.
Remember “Accidental”
First, remember the adjective:
ACCIDENTAL
Now add -ly:
ACCIDENTAL + LY = ACCIDENTALLY
That gives you the standard spelling.
Use the “AL” Rule
Whenever you see accidental, notice the letters AL at the end.
Then remember:
Accidental keeps AL when it becomes accidentally.
So:
❌ accidently
✅ accidentally
This is much easier than trying to memorize every letter individually.
Check the Word Family
When you are unsure, move backward:
accidentally
↓
accidental
↓
accident
If the base word is accident, the adjective is accidental, and the adverb is accidentally.
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Accidently or Accidentally: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Accidently | Accidentally |
|---|---|---|
| Standard modern spelling | No | Yes |
| Common in standard writing | Less common | Yes |
| Dictionary presence | Yes, as a variant | Yes |
| Meaning | Accidentally | By accident/unintentionally |
| Recommended for essays | No | Yes |
| Recommended for professional emails | No | Yes |
| Recommended for websites | Avoid | Yes |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you are unsure, choose accidentally.
There is virtually no practical reason to prefer accidently in ordinary modern writing. Even though dictionaries document the shorter form, accidentally is the safest and most widely accepted choice for students, professionals, bloggers, and everyday writers.
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Mini Quiz: Accidently or Accidentally?
Test yourself with these quick, easy questions. Each answer is given immediately after the question so you can learn as you go.
1. Pick the Correct Spelling
Which spelling is standard in modern English?
A) Accidently
B) Accidentally
C) Accidantly
D) Accidantely
Answer: B) Accidentally
2. Complete the Sentence
“I ______ dropped my phone.”
A) accidently
B) accidentelly
C) accidentally
D) accidentially
Answer: C) accidentally
3. What Does “Accidentally” Mean?
A) On purpose
B) By mistake
C) Very carefully
D) Immediately
Answer: B) By mistake
4. Which One Looks Right?
A) I accidently called him.
B) I accidentally called him.
C) I accidentelly called him.
D) I accidantally called him.
Answer: B) I accidentally called him.
5. Remember the Word Family
Which sequence is correct?
A) Accident → Accidental → Accidentally
B) Accident → Accidentel → Accidently
C) Accidant → Accidental → Accidentally
D) Accident → Accidential → Accidently
Answer: A) Accident → Accidental → Accidentally
6. Fill in the Blank
“She ______ sent the email to the wrong person.”
A) accidently
B) accidentally
C) accidentelly
D) accidental
Answer: B) accidentally
7. Which Is Better for Formal Writing?
A) Accidently
B) Accidentally
C) Accidantly
D) Accidentelly
Answer: B) Accidentally
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8. Spot the Spelling Error
Which sentence contains the less-preferred spelling?
A) He accidentally broke the glass.
B) I accidentally deleted the file.
C) She accidently missed the call.
D) They accidentally took the wrong bus.
Answer: C) She accidently missed the call.
9. Quick Grammar Check
What part of speech is “accidentally”?
A) Noun
B) Verb
C) Adjective
D) Adverb
Answer: D) Adverb
10. Choose the Natural Sentence
A) I accidentally pressed the button.
B) I accidently pressed the button.
C) I accidental pressed the button.
D) I accidentelly pressed the button.
Answer: A) I accidentally pressed the button.
11. Easy Memory Test
Which letters should you remember before “-ly”?
A) AL
B) EL
C) IL
D) OL
Answer: A) AL
12. Pick the Correct Word
Which word means “without intending to”?
A) Accidentally
B) Intentionally
C) Purposely
D) Deliberately
Answer: A) Accidentally
13. Which Sentence Is Correct?
A) She accidentally deleted the photo.
B) She accidently deleted the photo.
C) She accidental deleted the photo.
D) She accidentelly deleted the photo.
Answer: A) She accidentally deleted the photo.
14. Complete the Word Family
Accident + al + ly = ?
A) Accidently
B) Accidantally
C) Accidentally
D) Accidentially
Answer: C) Accidentally
15. Final Challenge
If you’re writing a professional email, which form should you choose?
A) Accidently
B) Accidentally
C) Accidentelly
D) Accidantly
Answer: B) Accidentally
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FAQs
Q. Is Accidently a Correct Spelling?
A: Accidently is a documented variant spelling, but it is far less common than accidentally and may be considered nonstandard or an error. For standard modern writing, use accidentally.
Q. Is Accidentally the Correct Word?
A: Yes. Accidentally is the standard spelling and means doing something by accident or without intending to do it.
Q. Why Do People Spell Accidentally as Accidently?
A: The shorter spelling is understandable because people may pronounce the word quickly and perceive fewer syllables. However, the standard spelling follows accident → accidental → accidentally, which retains al before -ly.
Q. Is Accidently Acceptable in Formal Writing?
A: It is best to avoid accidently in formal writing. Use accidentally in academic papers, business emails, reports, applications, and professional content.
Q. What Is the Difference Between Accident and Accidentally?
A: Accident is a noun referring to an unexpected or unplanned event. Accidentally is an adverb describing an action that happens unintentionally.
For example:
The accident happened yesterday.
She accidentally dropped her phone.
Q. How Do You Spell Accidentally Correctly?
A: Spell it:
A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T-A-L-L-Y
A useful shortcut is:
accident + al + ly = accidentally
Q. Is Accidentally an Adverb?
A: Yes. Accidentally is an adverb because it describes how an action happens.
Example:
He accidentally deleted the file.
Here, accidentally explains how he deleted it.
Conclusion:
So, accidently or accidentally which spelling is correct?
The answer is accidentally.
Although accidently is a documented variant and still appears occasionally, accidentally is the standard and preferred spelling in modern English. Merriam-Webster and Cambridge both recognize accidentally as the established adverb meaning “by accident” or “without intending to.”
The easiest way to remember it is:
accident → accidental → accidentally
Keep the AL from accidental, and you will be much less likely to write accidently by mistake.
Next time you are writing an email, essay, article, or social media post, choose accidentally with confidence.
Keep learning with more easy grammar lessons on: Gramixo.com
Hi, I’m Bilal Khalid, the founder of Gramixo. I’m passionate about helping people improve their English through clear, practical, and easy-to-follow grammar content. By combining my experience in SEO with a focus on creating helpful educational resources, I publish guides that simplify Grammar rules, explain common mistakes, and improve writing skills. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an English learner, my goal is to make learning grammar easier, more enjoyable, and genuinely useful in everyday life.
