adjective
Uncommon
incidental
ihn-sih-DEHN-tuhl
Incidental (adjective) means happening as a minor accompaniment to something else, rather than as the main point. Example: “The film's soundtrack is incidental music, meant to support the scenes rather than stand out.”
adjective
1
Happening as a minor accompaniment to something else, rather than as the main point.
"The film's soundtrack is incidental music, meant to support the scenes rather than stand out."
"Any profit was incidental to the charity's main goal."
noun
1
A minor item or expense, not itemised individually.
"The budget included $200 for incidentals like snacks and parking."
How to use incidental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMinor, secondary, or happening by chance alongside the main event.
Common pairings
incidental expenses
incidental music
purely incidental
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Word forms
- Plural
- incidentals
- Comparative
- more incidental
- Superlative
- most incidental
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's soundtrack is _____ music, meant to support the scenes rather than stand out.
Etymology
Formed from incident and -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for incidental
mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
monumental
regimental
incremental
See all rhymes for 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.
