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.

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. …

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 …

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025 in•ci•den•tal /ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəl/ adj. likely to happen in an unplanned manner: Incidental expenses were paid for by his …

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

Incidental definition: Occurring or likely to occur as an unpredictable or minor consequence.

Incidental refers to something which is secondary, nonessential, or occurring as a minor consequence or result of something else. It could also imply something occurring by chance or occasionally, without …

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