accident-prone

adjective

ac·​ci·​dent-prone ˈak-sə-dənt-ˌprōn How to pronounce accident-prone (audio)
-ˌdent-,
ˈaks-dənt-
1
: having a greater than average number of accidents
2
: having personality traits that predispose to accidents

Examples of accident-prone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Parents: Be vigilant, because this is a mildly accident-prone day for your kids. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 July 2025 Note to parents: Be vigilant, because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 July 2025 Boston, with its narrower byways and older infrastructure, tops the list of the most accident-prone metro areas overall, with drivers being involved in a crash at an average of once every 3.07 years. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 We’re currently obsessed with the nine arid and tropical plants, including a Venus flytrap, in the Tiny Plants collection and the accident-prone Hei Hei rooster from Disney’s Moana. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 15 June 2025 When Boeing’s directors were hunting last year for a new chief executive to turn around the accident-prone plane maker, one name on the short list was sitting with them. Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025 Meanwhile, parents should know this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 May 2025 Meanwhile, pay attention, because this might be an accident-prone day for your kids. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025 Tonight: Be diplomatic. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ★★★★ Parents should be vigilant today, because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accident-prone was in 1926

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accident-prone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accident-prone. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

accident-prone

adjective
1
: having a greater than average number of accidents
2
: having personality traits that predispose to accidents
accident-prone individuals

More from Merriam-Webster on accident-prone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!