Incident Meaning
/ˈɪnsɪdənt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn event or occurrence.
nounA (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others.
Sentence Examples
This was third school shooting incident in six months.
We mustn't make too much of this incident.
His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police arrived quickly after the ____ was reported by a neighbor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police are currently investigating a serious ____ that occurred in the park late last night.
Word Origin & History
Recorded since 1412, from Middle French incident, from Latin incidens, the present active participle of incidō (“to happen, befall”), itself from in- (“on”) + -cidō, the combining form of cadō (“to fall”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Where else in the world can you pre-order sushi and fondue on some of the trains, travel in family carriages equipped with mini-playgrounds, or use a request stop button at some small stations? Where else can you hear the announcement: "The train at Platform 4 is ten minutes late due to an incident in another country," as I did once at the Swiss station of Spiez?"
— 2025 October 15, Vitali Vitaliev, “The recipe for Swiss bliss”, in RAIL, number 1046, page 68:
"It is at this juncture that Toder launches into the familiar and troubling topic of monogamy versus non-monogamy. She outwardly expresses no preference for either option, considering each to hold certain consequences incident to it."
— 1980 December 6, Cindy Rizzo, “Jewish, Lesbian, Feminist, Psychologist, Author—All of the above and more”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 20, page 9:
"As the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed of by general laws, so likewise men's rarer incident necessities and utilities should be with special equity considered."
— [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"All chances incident to mans frail life."
— 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 43:
"The Vives, like the strangles, is most incident to young horses, and usually proceeds from the same causes, such as catching cold, being over-heated, or over-worked, about the time of shedding their teeth."
— 1816, Richard Lawrence, The complete farrier, and British sportsman, page 245:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police arrived quickly after the ____ was reported by a neighbor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police are currently investigating a serious ____ that occurred in the park late last night.