Accidental vs. Incidental — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Accidental refers to events that happen by chance or unexpectedly, whereas incidental indicates occurrences that are minor or secondary to something more significant.
Difference Between Accidental and Incidental
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Accidental events are unexpected and often occur without deliberate planning. On the other hand, incidental occurrences are not central to the main event but arise as a minor consequence.
In legal and insurance contexts, accidental implies a lack of intent and foreseeability, whereas incidental is used to describe events that, while not the focus, are naturally related to the primary activities.
When something accidental happens, it often leads to surprise or unpreparedness. Conversely, something incidental might be anticipated as a byproduct of an action or situation.
The term accidental is frequently used in safety and risk discussions, emphasizing prevention and mitigation. Incidental, however, often comes up in discussions about finance or planning, noting small or tangential impacts.
Accidental discoveries, such as penicillin, can be revolutionary, while incidental findings in research are usually minor and require further investigation to determine their relevance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Happening by chance or unexpectedly
Accompanying as a minor part
Context Usage
Often used in safety and risk
Common in finance and legal contexts
Consequences
Usually significant and unplanned
Generally minor and secondary
Planning Aspect
Not planned
Often considered in planning
Impact on Events
Can drastically change outcomes
Typically does not alter main outcomes
Compare with Definitions
Accidental
Not planned beforehand.
Their meeting was entirely accidental.
Incidental
Secondary in importance.
She mentioned the issue as an incidental point during the meeting.
Accidental
Lacking intention.
It was purely accidental that he overheard the conversation.
Incidental
Occurring as a minor consequence.
The incidental costs were negligible.
Accidental
Occurring by chance.
The accidental discovery of America changed global trade.
Incidental
Not the main focus.
The documentary included several incidental details about his life.
Accidental
Happening unexpectedly.
He made an accidental mistake during the presentation.
Incidental
Arising as a non-essential condition.
Incidental findings are common during routine medical checkups.
Accidental
Involving an element of chance.
Accidental injuries can occur at any workplace.
Incidental
Associated by chance and not integral.
He tackled incidental subjects in his book.
Accidental
Happening by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly
A verdict of accidental death
The damage might have been accidental
Incidental
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 as incidental to an open society" (Frederick Schauer).
Accidental
Incidental; subsidiary
The location is accidental and contributes nothing to the poem
Incidental
Of a minor, casual, or subordinate nature
Incidental expenses.
Accidental
(in Aristotelian thought) relating to or denoting properties which are not essential to a thing's nature.
Incidental
A minor accompanying item or expense
A pocket in the suitcase for incidentals.
Accidental
A sign indicating a momentary departure from the key signature by raising or lowering a note
Horn parts are usually written without key signature, the necessary accidentals being added
Incidental
Loosely associated; of limited relevance except indirectly; only accident related.
That character, though colorful, is incidental to the overall plot.
Incidental evidence
Accidental
Another term for vagrant
Incidental
Existing tangentially, being a byproduct, a tangent, or a likely consequence.
Injuries are incidental to contact sports: they're going to happen.
Accidental
Occurring unexpectedly, unintentionally, or by chance.
Incidental
Occurring by chance.
Accidental
(Music) Of or relating to an accidental.
Incidental
Entering or approaching, prior to reflection (more frequently incident).
Accidental
Being an animal, especially a bird, that has strayed beyond its normal range.
Incidental
Minor items, not further defined. Incidental expense.
She's costing us a lot in incidentals.
Accidental
A property, factor, or attribute that is not essential.
Incidental
Something that is incidental.
Accidental
Any of various signs that indicate the alteration of a note by one or two semitones or the cancellation of a previous sign.
Incidental
Happening, as an occasional event, without regularity; coming without design; casual; accidental; hence, not of prime concern; subordinate; collateral; as, an incidental conversation; an incidental occurrence; incidental expenses.
By some, religious duties . . . appear to be regarded . . . as an incidental business.
I treat either or incidentally of colors.
Accidental
A note that has been marked with such a sign.
Incidental
An incident; that which is incidental; esp., in the plural, an aggregate of subordinate or incidental items not particularized; as, the expense of tuition and incidentals.
Accidental
An animal that has strayed beyond its normal range.
Incidental
(frequently plural) an expense not budgeted or not specified;
He requested reimbursement of $7 for incidental expenses
Accidental
Pertaining to accident and not essence; thus, inessential; incidental; secondary.
Incidental
An item that is incidental
Accidental
(philosophy) Nonessential to something's inherent nature (especially in Aristotelian thought).
Incidental
(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
Accidental
(music) Adjusted by one or two semitones, in temporary departure from the key signature.
Incidental
Following as a consequence;
An excessive growth of bureaucracy, with related problems
Snags incidental to the changeover in management
Accidental
Occurring sometimes, by chance; occasional.
Incidental
Not of prime or central importance;
Nonessential to the integral meanings of poetry
Accidental
Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; by accident, unintentional.
Accidental
(geometry) Being a double point with two distinct tangent planes in 4-dimensional projective space.
Accidental
A property which is not essential; a nonessential; anything happening accidentally.
Accidental
Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous rays falling on certain objects so that some parts stand forth in abnormal brightness and other parts are cast into a deep shadow.
Accidental
(music) A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the commencement of a piece of music as the signature, but before a particular note.
Accidental
Part of a text that has a mainly structural purpose, such as spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.
Accidental
Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; casual; fortuitous; as, an accidental visit.
Accidental
Nonessential; not necessary belonging; incidental; as, are accidental to a play.
Accidental
A property which is not essential; a nonessential; anything happening accidentally.
He conceived it just that accidentals . . . should sink with the substance of the accusation.
Accidental
Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous rays falling on certain objects so that some parts stand forth in abnormal brightness and other parts are cast into a deep shadow.
Accidental
A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the commencement of a piece of music as the signature, but before a particular note.
Accidental
A musical notation that makes a note sharp or flat or natural although that is not part of the key signature
Accidental
Associated by chance and not an integral part;
Poetry is something to which words are the accidental, not by any means the essential form
They had to decide whether his misconduct was adventitious or the result of a flaw in his character
Accidental
Occurring or appearing or singled out by chance;
Their accidental meeting led to a renewal of their friendship
Seek help from casual passers-by
A casual meeting
A chance occurrence
Accidental
Without intention (especially resulting from heedless action);
With an inadvertent gesture she swept the vase off the table
Accidental poisoning
An accidental shooting
Common Curiosities
What does incidental mean?
Incidental refers to occurrences that are secondary or minor in relation to something more significant.
How do insurance policies treat accidental vs. incidental occurrences?
Insurance policies often cover accidental damages comprehensively, whereas incidental occurrences might receive limited coverage depending on their nature.
What is the impact of accidental versus incidental discoveries in research?
Accidental discoveries can lead to major breakthroughs, while incidental findings usually require further exploration to understand their implications.
Can something be both accidental and incidental?
Yes, an event can be both unplanned (accidental) and minor (incidental) in a larger context.
Are incidental expenses covered in budgets?
Incidental expenses are typically accounted for in budgets as minor, ancillary costs.
How does one prepare for accidental risks?
Preparing for accidental risks involves implementing safety measures and contingency planning.
What role do incidental elements play in a narrative?
Incidental elements add depth or detail to a narrative without driving the plot.
What is an accidental event?
An accidental event is one that occurs unexpectedly and without deliberate intention.
What is an example of an accidental violation?
An accidental violation could be unknowingly breaking a law or regulation.
How do incidental findings affect a project?
Incidental findings may slightly modify or add to a project but generally do not change its overall direction.
Can accidental damage be prevented?
While not all accidental damage can be prevented, many risks can be minimized through proactive measures.
How are accidental errors handled in the workplace?
Accidental errors are typically addressed through training and process improvements to prevent recurrence.
What should be considered when evaluating an accidental event?
When evaluating an accidental event, factors like cause, preventability, and consequences are considered.
What distinguishes an incidental remark?
An incidental remark is one that is not essential to the main discussion but provides additional context.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
