incidental
[ɪnsɪˈdɛ.ɾ̃əl]
Group 26Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Accompanying but not a major part of something; happening as a minor accompaniment GRE
Example in Context
The discovery was incidental to the original purpose of the research but proved to be far more significant than the intended findings.
Synonyms
minorsecondaryside
Etymology
Minor events that fall alongside the main action.
- incidens (Latin) — fall upon
Memory Aid
🦷Sounds like “in sin dental”
Imagine a dentist finding an INNOCENT SIN while cleaning teeth — it’s just INCIDENTAL!
Visual Association
🎈A balloon floating by during a serious meeting, bringing a light-hearted moment to an otherwise dull day.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “incidental” mean on the GRE?
incidental (adjective) means “Accompanying but not a major part of something; happening as a minor accompaniment”. The discovery was incidental to the original purpose of the research but proved to be far more significant than the intended findings.
How to remember “incidental” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “incidental” sounds like “in sin dental”. Imagine a dentist finding an INNOCENT SIN while cleaning teeth — it’s just INCIDENTAL!
What are synonyms for “incidental”?
Common synonyms: minor, secondary, side.