adjective
incremental
in-kruh-MEN-tuhl
Incremental (adjective) means happening in a series of small steps rather than all at once. Example: “Progress has been incremental but steady.”
adjective
1
Happening in a series of small steps rather than all at once.
"Progress has been incremental but steady."
"The team prefers incremental releases to one large annual update."
2
Describing the extra amount added by one further unit or step, as opposed to the total.
"The incremental cost of each additional user is close to zero."
"We measured the incremental revenue from the new channel alone."
How to use incremental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening bit by bit rather than all at once.
When to use it
Neutral; standard in business, engineering and economics.
Memory tip
In economics, incremental and marginal are used almost interchangeably for the effect of one more unit.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
incremental change
incremental cost
incremental improvement
incremental progress
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like incremental.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Progress has been _____ but steady.
Etymology
From increment, which comes from Latin incrementum 'growth, increase', from increscere 'to grow'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for incremental
mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
See all rhymes for incremental →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between incremental and iterative?
Incremental means building something up in added pieces, each one extending what exists. Iterative means going back over the same thing repeatedly to improve it. A project can be both: adding a new section each month, and reworking earlier ones as you learn.
Does incremental mean slow?
Not necessarily, though it often implies it. The word describes the shape of the change — many small steps — rather than the pace. Rapid incremental change is perfectly possible, and is the basis of most modern software release cycles.
What is the meaning of incremental?
"incremental" (adjective) means happening in a series of small steps rather than all at once.
What is another word for incremental?
Other words for "incremental" include gradual, step-by-step, piecemeal, phased, additional, marginal.
