incidentals

Incidentals is the plural form of incidental and refers to minor, accompanying, or nonessential items or costs associated with a primary subject, task, or event. The term is widely used in budgeting, accounting, and planning to distinguish noncore items from the main scope or price.

In finance and budgeting, incidental expenses are small, often unforeseen costs incurred during travel, work, or operations. Examples include postage, tips, or miscellaneous supplies. They are typically constrained by per diem allowances or tracked as a separate line item from the principal costs.

In music, incidental music refers to pieces composed to accompany a drama or performance, intended to underscore mood or action rather than stand alone. While the standard term is incidental music, the plural incidentals is rarely used in this context.

In contract and law, incidental describes items or consequences that arise from a primary agreement but are not the main subject. Incidental damages, for instance, are secondary losses that flow from a breach, distinct from direct damages.

Etymology: incidentalis comes from Latin, meaning related to what happens or occurs, derived from incident, an occurrence. The word is common in formal or professional contexts to denote auxiliary or secondary aspects that accompany a core matter.