Coincidental vs. Incidental

Coincidental vs. Incidental — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Coincidental and Incidental

Coincidentaladjective

Occurring as or resulting from coincidence.

Incidentaladjective

Loosely associated; existing as a byproduct, tangent, or accident; being a likely consequence.

That character, though colorful, is incidental to the overall plot.

Coincidentaladjective

Happening or existing at the same time.

Incidentaladjective

Occurring by chance

Coincidentaladjective

occurring or operating at the same time;

a series of coincident events

Incidentaladjective

Entering or approaching, prior to reflection (more frequently incident).

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Incidentalnoun

Minor items, not further defined. Incidental expense.

She's costing us a lot in incidentals.

Incidentalnoun

Something that is incidental.

Incidentalnoun

(frequently plural) an expense not budgeted or not specified;

he requested reimbursement of $7 for incidental expenses

Incidentalnoun

an item that is incidental

Incidentaladjective

(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence;

incidental expensesthe road will bring other incidental advantagesextra duties incidental to the joblabor problems incidental to a rapid expansionconfusion incidental to a quick change

Incidentaladjective

following as a consequence;

an excessive growth of bureaucracy, with related problemssnags incidental to the changeover in management
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Incidentaladjective

not of prime or central importance;

nonessential to the integral meanings of poetry