Word
incidental
Phoneticsin·ci·den·tal, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəɫ/
UK/ˌɪnsɪdˈɛntəl/
Definition
adj. happening as a small part of something else, or by chance. It describes things that are not the main focus but still happen alongside it.
adj. occurring as a minor accompaniment to something else, or by chance. Often describes secondary consequences or costs that arise during a primary activity.
Examples
“The music in the film is incidental to the story.”
“While the main goal was networking, the incidental benefits of the conference included learning about new software tools.”
“The researcher noted that the temperature change was merely incidental and did not significantly affect the final outcome of the chemical reaction.”
Examples
simple
“The music in the film is incidental to the story.”
contextual
“While the main goal was networking, the incidental benefits of the conference included learning about new software tools.”
complex
“The researcher noted that the temperature change was merely incidental and did not significantly affect the final outcome of the chemical reaction.”
Usage
Often used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“It seems to be the late 1990s, but that date feels almost incidental.” “These three forms of online content aren't incidental features of online life.” Etymology
From incident + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/incidental