incidental

[ in-si-den-tl ]

adjective

1. happening or likely to happen in an unplanned or subordinate conjunction with something else.

   Synonyms: contingent, fortuitous, chance, casual

   Antonyms: fundamental

2. incurred casually and in addition to the regular or main amount:

   incidental expenses.

3. likely to happen or naturally appertaining (usually followed by to ).

noun

1. something incidental, as a circumstance.
2. incidentals, minor expenses.

incidental

/ ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəl /

adjective

1. happening in connection with or resulting from something more important; casual or fortuitous
2. postpositivefoll byto found in connection (with); related (to)
3. postpositivefoll byupon caused (by)
4. occasional or minor

   incidental expenses

noun

1. often plural an incidental or minor expense, event, or action

Derived Forms

• ˌinciˈdentalness, noun

Other Words From

• inci·dental·ness noun
• nonin·ci·dental adjective
• nonin·ci·dental·ly adverb
• unin·ci·dental adjective
• unin·ci·dental·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incidental¹

First recorded in 1610–20; incident + -al ¹

Example Sentences

It was almost as if the goal being score was incidental to his overall plan for the game.

From BBC

Their incidental exaggerations are categorically different than the foundational lies told every day by their opponents on the Trumpist right.

From Slate

Bureau of Reclamation and counterparts at state and federal fish agencies to complete a new permit — called an incidental take permit — for the State Water Project, said Karla Nemeth, the department’s director.

From Los Angeles Times

Where in some series Evan being gay would be incidental, here it’s integral to the stories and comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

Pop Crave “is the first-ever truly incidental news source, where you’re being told things in a way that is being framed as breaking news, but it’s something that would not have crossed your mind otherwise,” Bookbinder said.

From Slate

Related Words

• accidental
• ancillary
• casual
• coincidental
• random
• secondary