incident

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɪnsɪdənt/
• American: IN-si-dent

Origin

From Latin "incidere" meaning "to fall upon, happen to" (in- "upon" + cadere "to fall")

Meanings

1. (n) An event or occurrence, especially one that is unusual, significant or unpleasant

   • "The police reported several incidents of vandalism."

2. (n) A minor event or occurrence that might lead to something more serious

   • "There were several minor incidents before the major conflict broke out."

3. (adj) Occurring as a minor consequence or accompaniment

   • "The incident light was refracted through the prism."

Example Sentences

• "The diplomatic incident strained relations between the two countries."
• "She handled the incident professionally and calmly."
• "The company reported no safety incidents this quarter."

Related Words

• Forms:

  • incidental (adj)
  • incidentally (adv)
  • incidents (plural)

• Synonyms:

  • event
  • occurrence
  • episode
  • happening
  • circumstance

Memory Tricks

1. Think "IN-CI-DENT": something that COMES IN and makes a DENT in your normal routine
2. Break it down: "in" (into) + "cid" (fall) = something that falls into or happens in your life
3. Remember that an "incident" is like a "dent" in the normal flow of events