incidental
12 synonyms and 5 antonyms for incidental, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Happening as a minor accompaniment to something else, rather than as the main point.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use incidental
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
incidental expenses
incidental music
purely incidental
Etymology
Formed from incident and -al.
Full origin of incidental →Frequently asked questions
What does “incidental” mean?
The word “incidental” means happening as a minor accompaniment to something else, rather than as the main point. In plain terms, minor, secondary, or happening by chance alongside the main event.
How do you pronounce “incidental”?
“Incidental” is pronounced ihn-sih-DEHN-tuhl ([ɪnsɪˈdɛ.ɾ̃əl] in IPA).
How do you use “incidental” in a sentence?
Here is “incidental” used in a sentence: “The film's soundtrack is incidental music, meant to support the scenes rather than stand out.”
What is another word for “incidental”?
Words with a similar meaning to “incidental” include contingent and serendipitous.
What is the opposite of “incidental”?
The opposite of “incidental” — its antonyms — are inevitable, necessary, impossible and intentional.
What part of speech is “incidental”?
Depending on how it is used, “incidental” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “incidental” a common word?
“Incidental” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “incidental” have?
“Incidental” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening as a minor accompaniment to something else, rather than as the main point.
