incidental
Happening as a small or extra part of another main thing, not as the main reason or purpose.
Happening as a minor part of, or as a by-product of, something else and not being the main purpose or feature.
Not very important when you compare it with other things; not a basic or key part.
Of relatively little importance or significance compared with something else; not essential.
Small extra things you pay for, for example on a trip, that are not part of the main price.
Small additional expenses that come with a main cost, especially on a trip or during work, often used in the plural as "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.