Definition

Noun An incidental expense is a minor, often unforeseen cost that occurs in addition to the main or budgeted expenses of an activity, trip, or project. These are costs that are not planned for in detail but are expected to arise in a general sense.

Usage

The term is most commonly used in its plural form, incidental expenses, especially in formal or business contexts like travel, accounting, and event planning. It refers to a category of small, miscellaneous costs.

Examples

• The company's travel policy includes a daily allowance for incidental expenses like tips, taxi fares, and snacks.
• When creating the project budget, remember to allocate a small fund for incidental expenses such as office supplies or local transport.
• He submitted a report detailing all major costs, along with a list of incidental expenses totaling $45.

Advanced Usage

• "To cover incidental expenses": This phrase is often used in formal allowances or per diems. It means the provided money is intended to pay for these small, unspecified costs.
  • The scholarship includes a stipend to cover tuition, housing, and incidental expenses.

Variants and Related Words

• Incidental (Adjective): Occurring as a minor consequence or accompaniment; not the primary focus.
  • The report discussed the main findings and some incidental observations.
• Miscellaneous expense (Noun Phrase): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably in accounting.
• Out-of-pocket expense (Noun Phrase): Money you pay personally, which may include incidental expenses.

Synonyms

• Miscellaneous expense
• Sundry expense
• Minor expense
• Outlay
• Incidental (when used as a noun, e.g., "travel and incidentals")

Antonyms

• Budgeted expense
• Major cost
• Capital expenditure
• Fixed cost

Related Phrases

• Per diem for incidentals: A daily allowance of money provided specifically for incidental expenses.
  • Employees receive a $50 per diem for meals and incidentals.
• Reimbursement for incidentals: The act of being paid back for these minor expenses.
  • She filed for reimbursement for the incidentals incurred during the conference.

Noun

1. (frequently plural) an expense not budgeted or not specified
   • he requested reimbursement of $7 for incidental expenses