Incidental meaning

ĭn'sĭ-dĕn'tl
The definition of incidental is an unintended consequence of something, or a related but unimportant part.

Destruction of the forests is an example of an incidental or unintended consequence of population growth.

Paperwork is an example of an incidental part of the job of an airline pilot.

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Occurring or likely to occur as an unpredictable or minor consequence.
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Of a minor, casual, or subordinate nature.

Incidental expenses.

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A minor accompanying item or expense.

A pocket in the suitcase for incidentals.

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Secondary or minor, but usually associated.

Incidental expenses.

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Happening by chance; accidental.
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Happening as a result of or in connection with something more important; casual.

Incidental benefits.

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Likely to happen as a result or concomitant.

Troubles incidental to divorce.

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Something incidental.
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Miscellaneous or minor items or expenses.
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Loosely associated; existing as a byproduct, tangent, or accident.

That character, though colorful, is incidental to the overall plot.

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Entering or approaching, prior to reflection (more frequently incident).
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Incidental expense.

She's costing us a lot in incidentals.

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Origin of incidental

From incident +‎ -al.

Sentence Examples

  • He also wrote incidental music to Hamlet, a symphony, and other works.

  • The incidental historical notices, which are often of great value and interest, are all his own.

  • Grasserie is another form of disease incidental to the silkworm.

  • But all pain and sorrow are incidental to the human being in his individual capacity.

  • This would fix the date of his death in 738; and, as Alcuin tells us he was eighty-one years old when he died, it may be inferred that he was born in 657 - a theory on which all the dates given above are based, though it must be added that they are substantially confirmed by the incidental notices of Bede.

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Words near incidental in the Dictionary