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").

INCIDENTAL definition: happening or likely to happen in an unplanned or subordinate conjunction with something else. See examples of incidental used in a sentence.

INCIDENTAL definition: 1. less important than the thing something is connected with or part of: 2. directly connected…. Learn more.

Occurring or likely to occur as an unpredictable or minor consequence: "the principle that even annoying, intrusive, and offensive speech is to be protected by the courts and tolerated by the public …

If one thing is incidental to another, it is less important than the other thing or is not a major part of it.

Definition of incidental adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. incidental (to something) happening in connection with something else, but not as important as it, or not intended. …

Incidental means secondary in time or importance. If you lose weight because you moved and must walk further to school, the weight loss was incidental to the move.

You may incur some incidental expenses on the trip. He writes incidental music for plays. This chapter is incidental to the plot. You should bring enough money to cover incidentals like cab fare and tips.

Jan 18, 2026 · Adjective incidental (comparative more incidental, superlative most incidental) Loosely associated; of limited relevance except indirectly; only accidentally related.

"Incidental" conveys the idea of something being tangential or secondary, often serving as a backdrop or peripheral element rather than the central point of interest.