incidental
C1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Happening as a minor or indirect consequence of something else, not the main purpose.
1. Occurring by chance or in connection with something more important. 2. Of a minor, casual, or peripheral nature. 3. (of expenses) Incurred in addition to regular costs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a nuance of secondary importance and often unpredictability. It contrasts with 'intentional' or 'fundamental'. Often used to describe minor events, expenses, or benefits that are not the primary focus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Incidental expenses' is a common collocation in both, but may be slightly more formal in UK business contexts.
Connotations
In UK English, in legal contexts (e.g., 'incidental to'), it can sound more precise. In US English, in casual speech, it can sometimes imply 'trivial'.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties, with similar distribution across formal and semi-formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be incidental to (sth)find (sth) incidentalconsider (sth) incidentalregard (sth) as incidentalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Incidental to the main purpose.”
- “An incidental benefit of the scheme.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to minor or unexpected costs not included in the main budget (e.g., 'Travel and incidental expenses will be reimbursed').
Academic
Describes peripheral findings in research or secondary aspects of a theory (e.g., 'The author's main argument is supported by several incidental observations').
Everyday
Used for minor, unexpected events or side effects (e.g., 'The sunburn was an incidental result of our day at the beach').
Technical
In medicine, an 'incidentaloma' is a tumor found incidentally during imaging for another reason. In law, 'powers incidental to' main duties.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A. 'Incidental' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A. 'Incidental' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- Incidentally, I saw your brother at the cinema.
American English
- She mentioned, incidentally, that the project is over budget.
adjective
British English
- The delay was an incidental effect of the roadworks.
- He kept a record of all incidental expenditures.
American English
- The stress relief was an incidental benefit of the new routine.
- The contract covers materials but not incidental costs like shipping.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I bought a book, and I got a free bookmark incidentally.
- The music was incidental to the play.
- We must budget for food, travel, and incidental expenses.
- The main point was clear; the other details seemed incidental.
- The discovery of the ancient wall was incidental to the construction of the new car park.
- Any profits from the event are purely incidental to our charitable aims.
- The judge ruled that the evidence was admissible as it was incidental to the lawful search.
- Her influential role in policy was incidental to her primary duties as an administrator.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DENTAL visit. The main event is the check-up (essential). The INCIDENTAL things are the free toothbrush and the small talk with the dentist - they happen alongside but aren't the main point.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIDE EFFECT / BACKGROUND NOISE / BYPRODUCT
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'случайный' (which is closer to 'accidental' or 'random'). 'Incidental' is more about secondary status than pure chance. 'Попутный', 'второстепенный', 'сопутствующий' are often better fits.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'incidental' to mean 'frequent' or 'recurring' (it's about minor/unplanned, not frequency). Confusing with 'coincidental' (which specifically means happening at the same time by chance).
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase is 'incidental' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Accidental' means happening by chance or unintentionally. 'Incidental' means secondary or minor in relation to something more important. A car crash is accidental. A scratch on the car door from that crash is incidental damage.
Yes, though less common. As a noun (usually plural: 'incidentals'), it refers to minor expenses or items (e.g., 'The grant covers tuition but not incidentals like lab fees').
They are near-antonyms. 'Intentional' describes something done on purpose. 'Incidental' describes something that happens as a minor, often unforeseen, by-product.
'Incidentally' is an adverb. It is used to introduce a related but less important point, or to mention something by the way (e.g., 'The food was excellent. Incidentally, the chef trained in Paris').
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