Accident vs. Chance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
An accident is an unforeseen and unintended event that usually results in damage or injury, while chance refers to the occurrence of events in the absence of any predictable pattern or deliberate intention.
Difference Between Accident and Chance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An accident is an unexpected event that occurs unintentionally, often resulting in harm or damage. It typically implies a negative outcome and is associated with incidents such as car crashes, falls, or industrial mishaps. Chance, on the other hand, refers to the likelihood or probability of an event occurring without any deliberate cause. It denotes randomness and can result in positive, negative, or neutral outcomes.
Accidents are usually specific events with direct consequences and can be investigated to determine causes and prevent future occurrences. Chance involves randomness and is not specific to any particular event, making it unpredictable and often without direct causation.
While both terms involve elements of unpredictability, an accident implies a specific incident with often adverse effects, whereas chance relates to the broader concept of randomness and probability affecting outcomes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Unforeseen, unintended event
Random occurrence without pattern
Outcome
Often negative, causing harm or damage
Can be positive, negative, or neutral
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Predictability
Generally unforeseen and unexpected
Involves randomness and uncertainty
Control
Often involves human error or negligence
Beyond deliberate control
Example
Car crash, slip and fall
Winning a lottery, coincidental meeting
Investigation
Can be investigated for causes
Not usually subject to investigation
Context
Specific incidents
Broader concept of randomness
Compare with Definitions
Accident
An unforeseen and unintended event causing harm or damage.
The car accident resulted in minor injuries to the driver.
Chance
The likelihood or probability of an event occurring randomly.
There is a good chance of rain tomorrow.
Accident
An accident is an unintended, normally unwanted event that was not directly caused by humans. The term accident implies that nobody should be blamed, but the event may have been caused by unrecognized or unaddressed risks.
Chance
An opportunity for something to happen.
He got a chance to speak with the CEO during the meeting.
Accident
An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury
If you are unable to work owing to accident or sickness
He had an accident at the factory
Chance
The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause.
Accident
An event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause
The pregnancy was an accident
It is no accident that Manchester has produced more than its fair share of professional comics
Chance
A force assumed to cause events that cannot be foreseen or controlled; luck
Chance will determine the outcome.
Accident
(in Aristotelian thought) a property of a thing which is not essential to its nature.
Chance
Often chances The likelihood of something happening; possibility or probability
Chances are good that you will win. Is there any chance of rain?.
Accident
An unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm
An accident on the assembly line.
Car accidents on icy roads.
Chance
An accidental or unpredictable event
"He sprang to his feet and turned to run. At the same moment by a lucky chance the moon broke through the clouds" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Accident
An unforeseen event that is not the result of intention or has no apparent cause
A series of happy accidents led to his promotion.
Chance
A favorable set of circumstances; an opportunity
A chance to escape.
Accident
An instance of involuntary urination or defecation.
Chance
A risk or hazard; a gamble
Took a chance that the ice would hold me.
Accident
Lack of intention; chance
Ran into an old friend by accident.
Chance
(Games) A raffle or lottery ticket.
Accident
(Philosophy) An attribute of a substance that is not essential to its nature.
Chance
(Baseball) An opportunity to make a putout or an assist that counts as an error if unsuccessful.
Accident
An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not directly caused by humans.
To die by an accident such as an act of God
Act of God
Chance
Caused by or ascribable to chance; unexpected, random, or casual
A chance encounter.
A chance result.
Accident
(legal) casus; such unforeseen, extraordinary, extraneous interference as is out of the range of ordinary calculation.
Chance
To take the risk or hazard of
We thought we could jump over the puddle, but we were not willing to chance it.
Accident
(transportation) A collision or crash of a vehicle, aircraft, or other form of transportation that causes damage to the transportation involved; and sometimes injury or death to the transportation's occupants or bystanders in close proximity.
There was a huge accident on I5 involving 15 automobiles.
My insurance went up after the second accident in three months.
Chance
To have the fortune (to be or do something); happen
"My eye chanced to fall on the wizened houseplant on the windowsill" (Elisabeth Brink).
Accident
Any chance event.
Chance
Used with the impersonal subject it and a following clause or infinitive to indicate the occurrence of a usually unexpected or chance event
"Now it chanced that this car-line was owned by gentlemen who were trying to make money" (Upton Sinclair).
Accident
(uncountable) Chance; random chance.
Chance
(countable) An opportunity or possibility.
We had the chance to meet the president last week.
Accident
Any property, fact, or relation that is the result of chance or is nonessential or nonsubstantive.
Beauty is an accident.
Lexical gaps are called accidental because their existence is by accident; it is not essential.
Chance
(uncountable) Random occurrence; luck.
Why leave it to chance when a few simple steps will secure the desired outcome?
Accident
(grammar) A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, such as gender, number, or case.
Chance
(countable) The probability of something happening.
There is a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow.
Accident
(euphemistic) An instance of incontinence.
Chance
(in plural as chances) probability; possibility.
Accident
Urine or feces excreted due to incontinence.
Chance
What befalls or happens to a person; their lot or fate.
Accident
(euphemistic) An unintended pregnancy.
Chance
Happening by chance, casual.
Accident
A person born from an unintended pregnancy.
Taylor was our sweet little accident, and we're so glad!
Well I may be annoying but at least I'm not an accident like you are
Chance
(obsolete) Perchance; perhaps.
Accident
(geology) An irregular surface feature with no apparent cause.
Chance
To happen by chance, to occur.
It chanced that I found a solution the very next day.
Accident
(geology) A sudden discontinuity of ground such as fault of great thickness, bed or lentil of unstable ground.{{cite book|
Chance
To befall; to happen to.
Accident
(heraldry) A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.
Chance
To try or risk.
Shall we carry the umbrella, or chance a rainstorm?
Accident
(transportation) Designating any form of transportation involved in an accident.
The NTSB report revealed that the accident airplane was a Cessna 172.
Chance
To discover something by chance.
He chanced upon a kindly stranger who showed him the way.
Accident
Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contingency; often, an undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of an afflictive or unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap; as, to die by an accident.
Of moving accidents by flood and field.
Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident:It is the very place God meant for thee.
Chance
(Belize) To rob, cheat or swindle someone.
The car broke down a week after I bought it. I was chanced by that fast-talking salesman.
Accident
A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, as gender, number, case.
Chance
A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; - in this sense often personified.
It is strictly and philosophically true in nature and reason that there is no such thing as chance or accident; it being evident that these words do not signify anything really existing, anything that is truly an agent or the cause of any event; but they signify merely men's ignorance of the real and immediate cause.
Any society into which chance might throw him.
That powerWhich erring men call Chance.
Accident
A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.
Chance
The operation or activity of such agent.
By chance a priest came down that way.
Accident
A property or quality of a thing which is not essential to it, as whiteness in paper; an attribute.
Chance
The supposed effect of such an agent; something that befalls, as the result of unknown or unconsidered forces; the issue of uncertain conditions; an event not calculated upon; an unexpected occurrence; a happening; accident; fortuity; casualty.
In the field of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared.
It was a chance that happened to us.
The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts,And wins (O shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts.
I spake of most disastrous chance.
Accident
Any accidental property, fact, or relation; an accidental or nonessential; as, beauty is an accident.
This accident, as I call it, of Athens being situated some miles from the sea.
Chance
A possibility; a likelihood; an opportunity; - with reference to a doubtful result; as, a chance to escape; a chance for life; the chances are all against him.
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune.That I would get my life on any chance,To mend it, or be rid on 't
Accident
Unusual appearance or effect.
Chance
Probability.
Accident
A mishap; especially one causing injury or death
Chance
To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee.
I chanced on this letter.
How chance, thou art returned so soon?
Accident
Anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause
Chance
To take the chances of; to venture upon; - usually with it as object.
Come what will, I will chance it.
Accident
An unexpected incident typically with negative consequences.
She had a kitchen accident and burned her hand.
Chance
To befall; to happen to.
Accident
An occurrence due to negligence or lack of precaution.
The factory accident was caused by faulty machinery.
Chance
Happening by chance; casual.
Accident
An unplanned event that can be harmful.
He tripped and fell by accident.
Chance
By chance; perchance.
Accident
An incident that could often be prevented.
Workplace accidents can be reduced with proper safety measures.
Chance
A possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances;
The holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington
Now is your chance
Chance
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another;
Bad luck caused his downfall
We ran into each other by pure chance
Chance
A risk involving danger;
You take a chance when you let her drive
Chance
A measure of how likely it is that some event will occur;
What is the probability of rain?
We have a good chance of winning
Chance
Be the case by chance;
I chanced to meet my old friend in the street
Chance
Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome;
When you buy these stocks you are gambling
Chance
Come upon, as if by accident; meet with;
We find this idea in Plato
I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day
Chance
Occurring or appearing or singled out by chance;
Their accidental meeting led to a renewal of their friendship
Seek help from casual passers-by
A casual meeting
A chance occurrence
Chance
An event that happens without deliberate intention.
By chance, they both arrived at the same restaurant at the same time.
Chance
Randomness affecting outcomes without a predictable pattern.
Winning the lottery is purely a matter of chance.
Chance
The absence of any deliberate cause or planning.
She found a rare book by chance at a garage sale.
Common Curiosities
Is chance predictable?
No, chance involves randomness and uncertainty, making it unpredictable.
Can accidents be investigated?
Yes, accidents can be investigated to determine causes and prevent future occurrences.
Are accidents always negative?
Accidents often result in negative outcomes such as harm or damage.
Can chance have positive outcomes?
Yes, chance can result in positive, negative, or neutral outcomes.
How do accidents impact safety regulations?
Accidents often lead to the development or improvement of safety regulations to prevent similar incidents.
What is chance?
Chance refers to the occurrence of events in the absence of any predictable pattern or deliberate intention.
What is an accident?
An accident is an unforeseen and unintended event that usually results in harm or damage.
Can accidents be prevented?
Many accidents can be prevented with proper precautions and safety measures.
Is chance controlled by any specific factors?
No, chance is beyond deliberate control and is not influenced by specific factors.
What is a common example of chance?
A common example of chance is winning a prize in a random draw or lottery.
What role does chance play in everyday life?
Chance affects various aspects of life, introducing randomness and unpredictability into outcomes.
What typically causes accidents?
Accidents are often caused by human error, negligence, or unforeseen circumstances.
How is chance different from luck?
Chance refers to the probability of events occurring randomly, while luck often implies a favorable or unfavorable outcome due to chance.
Are all unexpected events accidents?
Not all unexpected events are accidents; some may occur by chance without negative consequences.
Can chance be measured?
Chance can be measured in terms of probability, representing the likelihood of different outcomes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
