incidental

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ci·​den·​tal ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl 

1

a

: being likely to ensue as a chance or minor consequence

social obligations incidental to the job

b

: minor sense 1

incidental problems

2

: occurring merely by chance or without intention or calculation

incidental traveling companions

incidental

2 of 2

noun

1

incidentals plural : minor items (as of expense) that are not particularized

2

: something that is incidental

Did you know?

Incidental vs. Accidental

One sense of incidental is defined as "occurring merely by chance or without intention or calculation ," and one of the most common meanings of accidental in modern use is "occurring unexpectedly or by chance," so it is not surprising that the two words are sometimes confused. However, in almost all settings in which they will be found today, these words have distinct meanings. Incidental is most often used in the sense "being likely to ensue as a chance or minor consequence," or "minor" (as in "there were some incidental expenses that I paid myself").

Synonyms of incidental

Adjective

• accidental

Examples of incidental in a Sentence

Adjective

You may incur some incidental expenses on the trip.

an incidental part of the job

He writes incidental music for plays.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That contradiction was not incidental to the founding. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026

These were not incidental flourishes. — Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2026

Noun

The most interesting features of these works are their incidentals. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 5 May 2026

And that’s on top of costly airfare, lodging, match tickets, and other incidentals required to attend the games. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing incidental

• incidental music

Rhymes for incidental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental
• nonjudgmental

Kids Definition

incidental

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ci·​den·​tal ˌin(t)-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: happening by chance

2

: of minor importance

incidental

2 of 2 noun

: something that is incidental

Legal Definition

incidental

adjective

in·​ci·​den·​tal ˌin-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: subordinate or secondary in importance or position

incidental benefits

2

: incident

3

: occurring by chance or in isolation

incidental use of a person's image

incidentally adverb