incidental
/ˌɪnsɪˈdentl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnsɪˈdentl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl/ (ame, mw)
incidental — 形容詞
- incidentalpositive
- more incidentalcomparative
- most incidentalsuperlative
1. Connected with a more important matter or activity but not as significant or ess
次要的
相對於主要事物重要性較低的
Connected with a more important matter or activity but not as significant or essential as it is.
Ignacio explained that the delivery date was incidental to the overall project schedule.
Ignacio 解釋說，交貨日期相對於整個專案時程來說是次要的。
incidental + to + noun phrase for secondary importance
The committee agreed that the seating arrangement was an incidental detail.
委員會同意座位安排是次要的細節。
attributive position: incidental detail / incidental matter
Compared to safety concerns, the colour of the equipment was considered incidental by the team.
跟安全問題比起來，團隊認為設備的顏色是次要的。
Cyrus noted that the budget overrun was incidental to the campaign's main objective.
Cyrus 指出，預算超支相對於這次活動的主要目標來說是次要的。
Hoa joined the discussion late, so her comments were incidental to the final decision.
Hoa 在討論進行到一半時才加入，所以她的意見對最終決定的影響是次要的。
- secondary
More common in everyday use; implies coming after the most important thing in rank.
- minor
Emphasises small size or degree rather than the relationship between two things.
- subordinate
More formal; stresses being placed in a lower rank or position.
文法句型
be incidental + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by the preposition 'to': X is incidental to Y means X is far less important than Y.
常見錯誤
2. Occurring alongside a more important event or activity and arising naturally fro
附帶的
伴隨主要事件自然發生的
Occurring alongside a more important event or activity and arising naturally from it.
Noa budgeted for incidental travel costs such as taxi fares and meals.
Noa 在預算中編列了附帶的差旅費用，例如計程車費和餐費。
incidental + noun for resulting expenses
The new safety rules brought incidental changes to the way the factory operated.
新的安全規定為工廠的運作方式帶來了附帶的改變。
Most insurance policies cover incidental medical expenses that arise during a trip abroad.
大多數保險方案都會給付在國外出差時所產生的附帶醫療費用。
Imani's headaches were incidental to the long hours at her computer screen.
Imani 的頭痛是長時間盯著電腦螢幕所帶來的附帶影響。
Ryan accepted the promotion despite the incidental increase in his weekly commute time.
Ryan 接受了升職，儘管他的通勤時間因此附帶地增加了。
- accompanying
Neutral; simply describes things that go together without implying importance.
- associated
Broader; can describe any link, not just things that co-occur.
- consequent
More formal; stresses the cause-and-effect relationship.
- unrelated
Not connected in any way.
- independent
Standing alone without being linked to something else.
文法句型
incidental + noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (LESS IMPORTANT), this sense does not emphasise the low importance of the thing — rather it focuses on the fact that one thing accompanies another. Frequently used in attributive position: 'incidental costs', 'incidental effects'.
常見錯誤
3. Happening by chance rather than as a result of a plan or intention.
偶然的
非刻意或計畫而發生的
Happening by chance rather than as a result of a plan or intention.
Jude and his former teacher met at the art gallery by pure incidental chance.
Jude 和他的前任老師在美術館偶遇，完全是巧合。
purely / entirely incidental for 'by chance' meaning
The discovery of the old coins was incidental to the archaeological dig for Roman pottery.
那批古錢幣的發現是考古挖掘過程中的偶然收穫。
Lakshmi's role in the charity event was incidental — she happened to be at the venue.
Lakshmi 在那場慈善活動中的角色是偶然的——她剛好在現場。
An incidental conversation at a bus stop later grew into a business partnership.
一段在公車站偶然開啟的對話，後來發展成了商業合作。
- accidental
More common; implies the event was not meant to happen, sometimes with a negative tone.
- unintentional
Focuses on the lack of intention rather than on chance.
- fortuitous
Often carries a positive tone — a lucky chance.
- intentional
Done on purpose.
- deliberate
Carefully planned and carried out.
- planned
Arranged in advance.
文法句型
purely/entirely incidental
not ... incidental
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (LESS IMPORTANT) where the focus is on low significance, and sense 2 (ACCOMPANYING) where the focus is on natural co-occurrence. This sense focuses purely on the absence of planning or intention. Commonly modified by adverbs like 'purely' or 'entirely'.
常見錯誤
incidental — 名詞
1. Small amounts of money spent on items or services that were not listed in a budg
雜項開支
未列入預算的小額花費
Small amounts of money spent on items or services that were not listed in a budget or plan.
The conference budget set aside three hundred dollars for incidentals such as tips and snacks.
會議預算中撥出三百美元，用於小費和零食等雜項開支。
plural noun: incidentals as unplanned costs
Eri kept every receipt so she could claim her travel incidentals from the company.
Eri 保留了所有收據，以便向公司報銷差旅中的雜項開支。
The hotel bill listed room service and phone calls under incidentals.
飯店帳單將客房服務和電話費列為雜項開支。
Kevin checked the expense report for any unapproved incidentals that needed explanation.
Kevin 檢查了報銷單，看是否有任何未經核准的雜項開支需要說明。
文法句型
incidentals as plural noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form (incidentals) when referring to expenses. A single unplanned cost is usually called 'an incidental expense' (adjective) rather than 'an incidental' (noun).
常見錯誤
2. Things, details, or matters that are not important enough to be listed, discusse
細枝末節
不重要而無需單獨處理的事項
Things, details, or matters that are not important enough to be listed, discussed, or dealt with separately.
The report focused on the main findings and left all the incidentals to the appendix.
這份報告聚焦於主要發現，把所有細枝末節都放到了附錄裡。
plural noun: incidentals as unimportant details
Vivek asked the team to stop debating the incidentals and concentrate on the core issue.
Vivek 要求團隊停止爭論那些細枝末節，專注於核心問題。
During the trial, the lawyer dismissed several questions about dates as incidentals.
庭審中，律師將幾個關於日期的問題當作細枝末節不予理會。
The guidebook covers main sights and leaves incidentals like bus routes to the local map.
這本旅遊指南介紹主要景點，而把公車路線這類細枝末節留給了當地地圖。
- trivia
Emphasises that the details are unimportant or irrelevant.
- minutiae
Very formal; small precise details that may consume time unnecessarily.
- miscellany
A collection of various items of different kinds.
文法句型
the incidentals of + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than sense 1 (MINOR EXPENSES) and is not limited to financial contexts. It can refer to any minor piece of information or detail that is not worth separate attention. Often used in professional or academic writing.