Definition

Noun 1. A small or insignificant cost: A minor expense refers to a cost that is relatively low in amount or considered unimportant within a larger financial context. It is often an unplanned or miscellaneous outlay. 2. (Frequently plural) An expense not budgeted or not specified: Minor expenses are often incidental costs that arise without being part of a formal plan or detailed budget.

Usage

The term "minor expense" is commonly used in financial, business, and personal contexts to categorize small, often unforeseen costs. It is frequently found in the plural form ("minor expenses").

Examples

• We need to account for minor expenses like office supplies and local transportation.
• The project budget covers all major costs, but we have a separate fund for minor expenses.
• Please keep all receipts for any minor expense incurred during the business trip.
• He was reimbursed for the minor expenses related to the conference.

Advanced Usage

• "To nickel-and-dime" (idiom, informal): To be charged many small, often annoying, minor expenses.
  • The phone company nickel-and-dimed me with various minor fees.
• "Out-of-pocket expenses": This phrase often includes minor expenses that one pays personally, typically expecting reimbursement.
  • The company policy is to reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket minor expenses.

Variants and Related Words

• Incidental expense (n): A synonym frequently used in formal and accounting contexts, meaning an expense that is minor and occurs in conjunction with a larger activity.
  • The grant includes a provision for incidental expenses such as copying and postage.
• Petty cash (n): A small amount of cash kept on hand for paying minor expenses.
  • We used the petty cash to pay for the courier.

Synonyms

• Incidental expense
• Petty expense
• Sundry expense
• Miscellaneous cost

Related Phrases

• To cover minor expenses: To pay for small costs.
  • This advance should cover your minor expenses for the week.
• A matter of minor expense: Describing something that involves only a small cost.
  • Repairing the fence is a matter of minor expense compared to replacing it.

Noun

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