What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fortuitous
Example
It was fortuitous that I found my lost wallet on the street. [fortuitous: adjective]
Example
The meeting with the CEO was fortuitously timed, and it led to a big business deal. [fortuitously: adverb]
incidental
Example
The noise from the construction site was incidental to the main issue of the traffic jam. [incidental: adjective]
Example
I met my old friend at the party incidentally, while looking for the restroom. [incidentally: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incidental is more commonly used than fortuitous in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fortuitous and incidental?
Fortuitous is more formal and less common than incidental, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
