Incidental (Adjective)
Meaning 1
(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".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The hotel room was nice, but the free breakfast was just an incidental perk.
- The company's profits were boosted by incidental sales of their new product.
- The new policy will bring many incidental benefits to the community.
- The job requires some incidental travel to nearby cities.
- The researcher's discovery was incidental to her main area of study.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Meaning 2
Not of prime or central importance; "nonessential to the integral meanings of poetry"- Pubs.MLA; "the character's motives remain accidental to the plot".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The hotel's complimentary breakfast was an incidental perk that made our stay even more enjoyable.
- The artist's use of color was incidental to the overall message of the painting, which was meant to evoke a sense of movement.
- The character's quirky habit of tapping her foot was an incidental detail that added to her charm.
- The company's decision to offer a discount was incidental to their main goal of increasing brand awareness.
- The professor's mention of the historical event was incidental to the main topic of the lecture, but it added interesting context.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
Occurring with or following 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"; "collateral target damage from a bombing run".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The city's noise pollution is an incidental consequence of its rapid industrialization.
- The company's financial struggles were incidental to the economic downturn in the industry.
- The tourists got lost in the woods, which was incidental to their decision to take a shortcut.
- The new policy has incidental benefits, such as reducing the company's carbon footprint.
- The artist's use of bold colors was incidental to her overall vision for the painting.