incidental
happening as a minor result
Happening as a small or extra part of another main thing, not as the main reason or purpose.
[something] is incidental to [main activity]
- Any incidental costs incurred during the trip will be reimbursed by the company.
- The film uses incidental music to create tension in quiet scenes.
- Injuries to bystanders were incidental to the main attack but still very serious.
- The grant covers tuition but not the incidental fees charged by the university.
- Language learning can be an incidental benefit of playing online games with people from other countries.
- The hotel will charge you for any incidental costs, like snacks from the minibar.
- There was soft incidental music playing during the play.
- Good ideas are sometimes an incidental result of a friendly talk.
- Accidents are a risk incidental to this kind of dangerous work.
- Exercise has many incidental health benefits.
of minor or slight importance
Not very important when you compare it with other things; not a basic or key part.
[something] is incidental
- The exact date is incidental; what matters is that we all agree on the plan.
- His own comfort was incidental to his main goal of helping the refugees.
- In this discussion, the cost is incidental compared to the safety concerns.
- Her personal story is interesting but largely incidental to the main argument of the book.
- The graphics are pleasant but incidental; the game is really about the story.
- The color of the car is incidental. I just need something safe.
- Money is incidental to him; he cares more about free time.
- My role in the project was incidental, so I did not make big decisions.
- These small problems are incidental and do not change the final result.
- The music is nice but incidental. People come for the food.
small extra expenses
Small extra things you pay for, for example on a trip, that are not part of the main price.
pay for [incidentals]
- The company will pay for your flights and hotel, but you must cover your own incidentals.
- Keep all your receipts so you can claim incidentals on your expense report.
- Her daily allowance is meant to cover meals and other incidentals while she is on assignment.
- The bill lists the room charge separately from taxes and incidentals.
- You should budget extra money for incidentals such as snacks, tips, and local transport.
- My boss paid for the flight, and I paid for the incidentals.
- I need some cash for incidentals during the trip.
- This card is only for the hotel room, not for incidentals.
- They gave us extra money to cover incidentals.
- Please save your receipts for all incidentals.
- Base: incidental
- Base: incidental
- Plural: incidentals
be incidental to [something]
1be a minor part of something
To happen as a small or extra part of another main thing or activity.
- Any discomfort is incidental to the long-term health benefits.
- The profit is incidental to our main goal of helping the community.
- Noise is incidental to living in the city.
incidental expenses
1small extra costs with something
Small extra costs that come with a main cost, such as a trip or project, for things like snacks, tips, or local transport.
- The company will reimburse your travel and incidental expenses.
- Your daily allowance should cover meals and other incidental expenses.
- Students often forget to budget for incidental expenses when studying abroad.
incidental learning
1unplanned learning as side effect
Learning something without planning to, while you are doing another activity.
- Children pick up a lot of vocabulary through incidental learning while they play.
- Games can be a powerful tool for incidental learning in language classrooms.
- Incidental learning often happens when employees watch how their colleagues solve problems.
incidental music
1background music for a performance
Music that is written to play during a play, film, or show, to support the story but not be the main focus.
- The incidental music gave the play a darker mood.
- She composed the incidental music for a new television drama.
- Without the incidental music, the scene would feel flat and empty.