incident
incident
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "incident" is /ˈɪnsɪdənt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
in: /ɪn/ - A short "i" sound as in "bit," followed by the nasal consonant "n."
ci: /ˈsɪ/ - An "s" sound followed by a short "i" sound as in "bit."
dent: /dənt/ - A "d" sound, followed by a short "e" sound as in "bed," and ending with the nasal consonant "n" and then the "t" sound.
Word Form Variations
incident (singular noun): A single occurrence or event.
incidents (plural noun): More than one occurrence or event.
incidental (adjective): Happening or existing in connection with something else; not the main thing; or, occurring as a minor consequence.
incidentally (adverb): In an incidental manner; by the way; as a minor point.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: An event or occurrence, especially one of an unusual or unwelcome nature. It often implies a disruption or a deviation from the normal course of events.
Synonyms: event, occurrence, happening, episode, instance, occasion, circumstance, happening, event, development
Antonyms: routine, norm, usual, expectation, pattern, standard, habit
Definition 2: A specific, defined event within a larger context, often of some importance or note.
Synonyms: case, example, illustration, detail, item, point, matter
Antonyms: generalization, abstraction, theory, principle
Adjective:
Definition: Occurring or liable to occur in connection with something else; not being the main thing; secondary or minor.
Synonyms: related, associated, connected, accompanying, contingent, peripheral, minor, secondary, subsidiary, extraneous
Antonyms: primary, main, principal, central, essential, vital, crucial, important
Adverb:
Definition: In an incidental manner; by the way; as a side note; parenthetically.
Synonyms: by the way, incidentally, parenthetically, as a side note, additionally, furthermore, moreover, coincidentally
Antonyms: primarily, mainly, chiefly, essentially, fundamentally, directly, purposefully, intentionally
There is no commonly accepted verb form of "incident." While one could arguably use "incident" as a verb in a very nonstandard way (e.g., "The report incidented several key issues"), it's not standard English and would likely confuse the listener/reader. It's always better to use a more established verb, such as "report," "describe," "detail," or "mention" in such a context.
Examples of Use
News/Online Publications:
"A violent incident at the local high school prompted increased security measures." (Hypothetical news report)
"The cybersecurity firm reported a major data breach incident impacting thousands of users." (Hypothetical online tech news)
"The international incident involving the downed aircraft escalated tensions between the two nations." (Hypothetical news report)
Books:
"In Chapter 3, the author recounts a pivotal incident from her childhood that shaped her later life." (Hypothetical book excerpt)
"The novel opens with a mysterious incident that sets the protagonist on a quest for answers." (Hypothetical book description)
Entertainment (Movies/TV):
"The film's plot revolves around a historical incident that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries." (Hypothetical movie synopsis)
"In the TV episode, the detectives investigate a seemingly random incident that turns out to be part of a larger conspiracy." (Hypothetical TV show description)
General Public Discourse/Social Media:
"I witnessed a disturbing incident of road rage on my way to work this morning." (Hypothetical social media post)
"It was just a minor incident; nothing to worry about." (Hypothetical casual conversation)
"The incident at the protest sparked a national debate about freedom of speech." (Hypothetical news report or social media discussion)
Legal/Official Reports:
"The police report detailed the incident involving a collision at the intersection of Main Street and First Avenue." (Hypothetical police report)
"The company filed an incident report after a workplace accident." (Hypothetical company document)
10 Famous Quotes Using Incident
“The incident left a scar on our national conscience, reminding us that liberty must always be guarded.” — Barack Obama, referencing various civil rights events.
“Every incident in life is an opportunity for growth, though it rarely feels that way at the time.” — Harold Kushner
“There is no such thing as an isolated incident. Every ripple touches another shore.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
“The incident may be forgotten, but the lesson must be remembered.” — Colin Powell
“What began as a minor incident turned into a defining moment of the century.” — Historian commenting on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
“We are not punished for the incident, but by it—through the shame we carry forward.” — James Baldwin
“I have never yet heard of a murderer who was not afraid of a ghost.” — John Henry Newman, referring to a ghostly incident and its psychological aftermath
“The incident itself was trivial, but what it revealed was monumental.” — Malcolm Gladwell, speaking about tipping points
“Don’t define your life by a single incident, especially if it was out of your control.” — Maya Angelou
“Each incident of injustice is a seed. And like all seeds, it grows—into rebellion, reform, or remembrance.” — Angela Davis
Etymology
The word "incident" comes from Latin. It's built from three parts:
in-: This prefix means "in" or "on."
cidere: This is the verb meaning "to fall" or "to happen." Think of words like "coincidence" (something falling together) or "decide" (to cut off, hence to determine).
-ent: This suffix turns the verb into a noun, indicating a "thing that happens."
So, if you put it all together, "incident" literally means something "falling on" or "happening in" a particular context. It suggests an event that occurs, often unexpectedly or disruptively.
The first known use of "incident" in English dates back to the late 16th century (around the 1580s). Initially, it carried the same basic meaning it has today: an event or occurrence, especially one of a less important or subordinate kind. It wasn't necessarily negative at first, just something that happened. Over time, the word has developed a slight nuance, often implying something disruptive or unwanted, though it can still be used neutrally. The core idea, however, remains rooted in that Latin origin: something that "falls on" or "happens" within a given situation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Incident
Phrases (Common or Possible):
A minor incident: This is a common phrase, indicating an event of little consequence.
A serious incident: This, conversely, denotes an event of significant importance or danger.
The incident occurred: This is a standard way to introduce the description of an event.
Related incidents: This phrase suggests a connection between multiple events.
Without incident: This means that nothing noteworthy or problematic happened.
Why Idioms with "Incident" Are Rare:
Idioms tend to be more colorful and figurative. "Incident," while useful, is a bit more clinical. It's not usually the subject of a colorful expression. Think about it: we don't say things like "That incident cost an arm and a leg" (we might say that about the consequences of the incident).
Creating Phrases and Using Synonyms:
Since true idioms with "incident" are scarce, we can create some phrases that sound idiomatic or use synonyms to achieve a similar effect:
"The incident cast a long shadow": This is a more figurative way of saying the incident had lasting negative consequences.
"The incident sparked a firestorm": This emphasizes the intense reaction to the event.
"The incident blew over": This implies the event was less important than initially thought and was soon forgotten (using a phrasal verb).
"A chapter of incidents": This is a more literary phrase, suggesting a period of time marked by many occurrences.
Using Synonyms in Idioms:
We can use synonyms for "incident" in existing idioms to get a sense of how the concept might be used figuratively:
Instead of a non-existent "The incident was a piece of cake," we could say, "The event was a piece of cake."
Instead of a non-existent, "That incident is water under the bridge," we might say, "That episode is water under the bridge."
In short, while "incident" itself doesn't feature prominently in idioms, we can use it in descriptive phrases and sometimes substitute synonyms in existing idioms to express similar ideas. The key is to remember that "incident" is primarily a noun denoting an event, and its use tends to be more literal than figurative.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of incident from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
