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incidentally

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adverb in·ci·den·tal·ly \ ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl-ē , especially for sense 2 -ˈdent-lē \

Definition of incidentally

1 :in an incidental manner :not intentionally
  • the arrant nonsense of some of his statements is incidentally hilarious
  • —John Lahr
2 :by way of interjection or digression :by the way
  • fortunate in having a good teacher … —still living, incidentally
  • —John Fischer

See incidentally defined for English-language learners

See incidentally defined for kids

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Examples of incidentally in a Sentence

  1. Not incidentally, the market slump was followed by widespread layoffs.

  2. incidentally, have you seen the new building they're putting up?

Recent Examples of incidentally from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incidentally.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of incidentally

1665

incidentally Synonyms

Synonyms
en passant, apropos
Related Words
digressively, excursively, interjectionally, parenthetically, secondarily, tangentially

INCIDENTALLY Defined for English Language Learners

incidentally

play
adverb

Definition of incidentally for English Language Learners

  • : as something that is less interesting or important

  • —used to introduce a statement that provides added information or that mentions another subject

INCIDENTALLY Defined for Kids

incidentally

play
adverb in·ci·den·tal·ly \ ˌin-sə-ˈden-tᵊl-ē \

Definition of incidentally for Students

1 :as a matter of less interest or importance
2 —used to introduce a statement that provides additional information or changes the subject
  • I'll call your mother. Incidentally, how is she?

Learn More about incidentally

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for incidentally Spanish Central: Translation of incidentally Nglish: Translation of incidentally for Spanish speakers

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Examples: incidentally in a Sentence