Meaning & Definition of word "Incidentally"
Incidentally
/ˌɪn.sɪˈdɛn.tə.li/
adverb:
- 1. In an incidental manner; as a chance occurrence.
- Example: I met her incidentally at the conference last week.
- 2. By the way; used to introduce a new subject in conversation.
- Example: Incidentally, have you heard about the new restaurant opening downtown?
- 3. Not intentionally; by accident.
- Example: He incidentally revealed the surprise party while talking.
- 4. In addition to, but not directly related.
- Example: The project was successful, and incidentally, it saved us money as well.
Etymology
●Derived from the Latin 'incidentalis', from 'incidere' meaning 'to fall upon' or 'to happen'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
Incidentally speaking:
Mentioning something indirectly or as a side note.
Just to mention:
A phrase often used to introduce an incidental point.
By the way:
A common way to introduce a side comment.
Related Words
incident:
An event or occurrence, typically something unusual or noteworthy.
incidental:
Occurring as a minor accompaniment or by chance.
incidentality:
The quality of being incidental or minor.
Slang Meanings of incidentally
Meaning: Just a thought
● Example Sentence: Oh, incidentally, I saw your ex at the cafe.
Meaning: Not a big deal
● Example Sentence: He mentioned it incidentally, so it wasn't anything serious.