Adventitious comes from Latin adventīcius, meaning "coming from outside," which, in turn, is from advenīre, "to arrive." The verb is the source of other English words, including advent, …

ADVENTITIOUS definition: associated with something by chance rather than as an integral part; extrinsic. See examples of adventitious used in a sentence.

Their actions are more adventitious and unpredictable; they perceive and act under uncertainty.

Arising from an external cause or factor; not inherent: symmetry that was purely adventitious; adventitious circumstances that contributed to the plan's success.

Dec 11, 2025 · Growing unpredictably out from its main taproot and elsewhere, this plant has bushy adventitious roots.

adventitious, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Definition of 'adventitious' adventitious in American English (ˌædvɛnˈtɪʃəs , ˌædvənˈtɪʃəs ) adjective Origin: L adventicius, coming from abroad: see Advent

Definition of adventitious adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Arising from an external cause or factor; not inherent: symmetry that was purely adventitious; adventitious circumstances that contributed to the plan's success.

Adventitious definition: Added from outside; not inherent; accidental.