incidental Definition
- 1happening as a minor accompaniment to something else
- 2casual or fortuitous
- 3happening as a result of something else
Using incidental: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "incidental" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The music was incidental to the main attraction.
Example
The damage was incidental rather than intentional.
Example
The cost of the meal is incidental to the overall experience.
incidental Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for incidental
Phrases with incidental
music played in a performance that is not part of the main performance
Example
The incidental music in the play was composed by a famous musician.
incidental expenses
expenses that are not directly related to the main purpose of a trip or activity
Example
The hotel stay and transportation were covered, but incidental expenses like meals and souvenirs were not.
learning that occurs unintentionally while engaged in some other activity
Example
Children often engage in incidental learning while playing games or exploring their environment.
Origins of incidental
from Latin 'incidere', meaning 'to fall into'
Summary: incidental in Brief
The term 'incidental' [ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntl] refers to something that happens as a minor accompaniment to something else, or that is casual or fortuitous. It can also refer to something happening as a result of something else. Examples include 'The music was incidental to the main attraction,' and 'The cost of the meal is incidental to the overall experience.' Phrases include 'incidental music,' 'incidental expenses,' and 'incidental learning.'
