noun
Common
incidence
IHN-sih-duhns
Incidence (noun) means the rate at which something occurs, especially within a given group or period. Example: “Doctors noticed a higher incidence of colds among children during the winter term.”
noun
1
The rate at which something occurs, especially within a given group or period.
"Doctors noticed a higher incidence of colds among children during the winter term."
"The town reported a low incidence of burglary compared with the neighbouring villages."
"The incidence of the disease has fallen since the vaccine was introduced."
2
(physics) The way a ray of light or a projectile strikes a surface.
"The beam struck the glass at a steep angle of incidence."
"Engineers measured the incidence of the light on the mirror before adjusting the lens."
"The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection."
How to use incidence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow often something happens, or (in physics) the angle at which something hits a surface.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with incident (a single event) — incidence is a rate or frequency, not an occurrence itself.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
high incidence
incidence of disease
angle of incidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- incidences
Fill the gap
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Doctors noticed a higher _____ of colds among children during the winter term.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin incidentia, "a falling upon," from Latin incidere, "to fall upon" (in- + cadere, "to fall").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for incidence
See all rhymes for incidence →Frequently asked questions
What does “incidence” mean?
The word “incidence” means the rate at which something occurs, especially within a given group or period. In plain terms, how often something happens, or (in physics) the angle at which something hits a surface.
How do you pronounce “incidence”?
“Incidence” is pronounced IHN-sih-duhns (/ˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “incidence” in a sentence?
Here is “incidence” used in a sentence: “The incidence of the disease has fallen since the vaccine was introduced.”
What part of speech is “incidence”?
“Incidence” is a noun.
Where does the word “incidence” come from?
The word “incidence” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin incidentia, "a falling upon," from Latin incidere, "to fall upon" (in- + cadere, "to fall").
Is “incidence” a common word?
“Incidence” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “incidence” have?
“Incidence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the rate at which something occurs, especially within a given group or period.
What is the difference between incidence and incidents?
Incidence refers to the rate at which something occurs within a group or period, such as 'the incidence of the disease increased,' while incidents are individual events or occurrences themselves. Confusing the two is a common mistake because they sound similar but incidence is not simply the plural of incident.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence measures the rate of new occurrences of something within a given period, while prevalence measures the total number of existing cases at a given time, regardless of when they started. Both are used to describe how common something is, but they capture different aspects.
What does angle of incidence mean in physics?
In physics, the angle of incidence describes the way a ray of light or a projectile strikes a surface, measured from a line perpendicular to that surface. It is a key concept in explaining reflection and refraction.
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