Quick answer: Neither one. The correct spelling is accidentally, with “al” before “ly.” Accidently is a very common misspelling, and acidently is not a word at all.
Accidently vs Acidently Quiz: Which Spelling Is Right?
Correct spelling. An adverb meaning by chance or without intending to.
An adjective meaning happening by chance: an accidental discovery.
A common misspelling. Use accidentally instead.
A real adverb meaning in a sharp, bitter way. Not the same as accidentally.
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Many people search for accidently vs acidently because the word accidentally is easy to misspell. We often drop the “al” when we say it aloud, and we sometimes skip a letter when we type it. This guide shows the correct spelling, why it is spelled that way, and how to remember it. You can test yourself with the quiz above first.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| accidentally | By chance; without intending to | Adverb (correct spelling) | I accidentally deleted the file. |
| accidental | Happening by chance | Adjective | It was an accidental discovery. |
| accidently | Not standard; a common misspelling of accidentally | Misspelling | Avoid: I accidently deleted the file. |
| acidently | Not a word; a misspelling of accidentally | Misspelling | Avoid: She acidently spilled her coffee. |
| acidly | In a sharp, bitter, or sarcastic way | Adverb | “Nice of you to show up,” she said acidly. |
Accidently vs Acidently: Which Spelling Is Correct?
Neither is correct. The standard spelling is accidentally, and you should use it in every kind of writing.
The two versions in the keyword are errors of different kinds. Accidently drops the “al” from the end of the word. Acidently drops the “al” and also loses one of the two c’s at the start. If you remember that the word is built from accidental plus -ly, you can avoid both mistakes.
What does accidentally mean?
Accidentally means by chance or without meaning to. It describes something that happens unintentionally.
For example: “She accidentally sent the message to the whole team.” It can also describe events that simply happen by coincidence: “We met accidentally at the airport.” There is even a playful phrase, accidentally on purpose, which describes doing something deliberately while pretending it was an accident.
Is accidently a real word?
Accidently appears often in everyday writing, but standard usage treats it as a misspelling. The correct form is accidentally.
The error is easy to understand. In casual speech, many people say the word with the “al” softened or dropped, so the spelling follows the sound. Spell checkers usually flag it, and in formal, professional, or published writing it is best to use accidentally every time.
Is acidently a real word?
No, acidently is not a word in English. It is a misspelling of accidentally, with a missing c and a missing “al.”
It is easy to see how the mistake happens, because acid and accident look similar at first glance. There is, however, a real word that sounds a little like it: acidly. It means in a sharp, bitter, or sarcastic manner, as in “He answered acidly.” That meaning has nothing to do with accidents.
Why does accidentally have “ally” at the end?
It is spelled with “ally” because the adverb is formed from the adjective accidental plus the ending -ly. The “al” stays, so you get accidental + ly = accidentally.
The same pattern applies to many other adverbs: incidental becomes incidentally, occasional becomes occasionally, and basic becomes basically. When the adjective ends in -al, the adverb ends in -ally.
How can you remember which one to use?
Start from the adjective and add -ly. The memory tricks below help, and the common mistakes show what to avoid.
Common mistakes with accidentally
✗ I accidently deleted the file.
✓ I accidentally deleted the file.
✗ She acidently spilled her coffee.
✓ She accidentally spilled her coffee.
✗ She replied acidently, with a bitter smile.
✓ She replied acidly, with a bitter smile.
✗ We accidently met at the airport.
✓ We accidentally met at the airport.
✗ It was an accidently discovery.
✓ It was an accidental discovery.
Memory tricks
1. Accidental + ly: Start with accidental and add -ly. You cannot lose the “al” if you build the word this way.
2. Two c’s, like accident: Accident has two c’s, so accidentally keeps both. The word is not related to acid.
3. Say it slowly: Pronounce every part: ac-ci-den-tal-ly. The “tal” before the “ly” reminds you to write “ally.”
Frequently asked questions
Is it accidentally or accidently?
Accidentally is the standard spelling. Accidently is a common misspelling.
Is acidently a word?
No. It is a misspelling. The real word is accidentally, or acidly if you mean in a sharp, bitter way.
Why is accidentally spelled with -ally?
It comes from the adjective accidental plus -ly, so the al stays.
What does accidentally mean?
It means by chance or without intending to.
Is accidentally on purpose a real phrase?
Yes. It is a humorous phrase for doing something deliberately while pretending it was an accident.
Final thoughts on accidently vs acidently
When you see accidently vs acidently, remember that both are misspellings and the correct word is accidentally. Build it from accidental plus -ly, and keep both c’s, and you will spell it right every time. Share this with someone who mixes these up!