Incidentally - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

"Incidentally" means happening as a minor consequence or accompaniment; it’s also used to introduce a related but not essential piece of information. Think of it as finding a hidden level in a video game 🕹️ – it's related to the main game, but not part of the primary quest. It suggests a chance occurrence or a secondary thought. It is similar to 'by the way' but carries a slightly more formal tone.

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin "incidens," the present participle of "incidere," meaning "to fall upon" or "to happen." It entered English in the 16th century. It reflects the idea of something occurring alongside something else. Its roots suggest an event that isn't planned or intended.

Related Words

Examples

• "Incidentally, I ran into your sister at the grocery store."
• "The meeting was productive, and incidentally, we also discussed the upcoming holiday party."
• "I was in the neighborhood, and incidentally, I thought I'd stop by."
• "Incidentally, the new phone has a much better camera."

Encouragement

Sprinkle "incidentally" into your conversations to sound sophisticated and insightful! It’s a smooth way to introduce related information. Keep those conversational skills sharp! 🤓

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