incidental

/,insi'dentl/
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incidental

The discovery of the ancient coin was incidental to the main archaeological dig.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Happening by chance or as a minor accompaniment; not essential or central: Describes something that occurs in connection with something else but is not the main focus or a planned part of it.
    • Occurring as a minor consequence or side effect: Refers to something that happens as a secondary result of a primary action or event.
  2. Noun:

    • A minor or secondary item, detail, or expense: An item, often a cost, that is not part of the main budget or plan but occurs in connection with it.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • The report covers the main findings and some incidental observations.
    • We must budget for travel and incidental costs like meals.
    • The stress was incidental to the job's high demands.
  • Noun:

    • The grant covers tuition but not incidentals like books and supplies.
    • Keep receipts for all incidentals during the business trip.
Advanced Usage
  • "Incidental to": This phrase is commonly used to show that something is a minor, secondary, or chance accompaniment of something else.
    • The noise was incidental to the construction process and could not be avoided.
    • Any profits incidental to the main charity event will be donated.
Variants and Related Words
  • Incidentally (adverb): Used to introduce a point that is related but less important, or to describe something happening by chance.
    • The software is easy to use and, incidentally, very affordable.
  • Incidence (noun): The occurrence, rate, or frequency of something (especially something undesirable).
    • The study tracked the incidence of the disease.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Accompanying, ancillary, secondary, subsidiary, contingent, chance, casual, nonessential.
  • Noun: Sundry, extra, miscellaneous item.
Antonyms
  • Adjective: Essential, fundamental, central, primary, intentional, planned.
  • Noun: Essential, necessity, major expense.
Related Phrases
  • Incidental music: Music used in a film, play, or other production to create atmosphere or accompany action. It is secondary to the main dialogue or plot.
    • The composer wrote the incidental music for the television series.
  • Incidental finding: In medicine, an unexpected discovery made while diagnosing or treating something else.
    • The scan revealed an incidental finding of a small, benign cyst.
incidental

The discovery of the ancient coin was incidental to the main archaeological dig.

Adjective
  1. following or accompanying as a consequence
    • an excessive growth of bureaucracy, with attendant problems
    • snags incidental to the changeover in management
    • attendant circumstances
    • the period of tension and consequent need for military preparedness
    • the ensuant response to his appeal
    • the resultant savings were considerable
  2. not of prime or central importance
    • nonessential to the integral meanings of poetry- Pubs.MLA
  3. (sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence
    • incidental expenses
    • the road will bring other incidental advantages
    • extra duties incidental to the job
    • labor problems incidental to a rapid expansion
    • confusion incidental to a quick change
Noun
  1. an item that is incidental
  2. (frequently plural) an expense not budgeted or not specified
    • he requested reimbursement of $7 for incidental expenses