incident
English meaning: Incident
Definition
An event or occurrence.
Example
“It was an incident that he hoped to forget.”
Another example: “There were no further incidents during the rest of the journey.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Refers to an event or occurrence, often one that is notable, unwelcome, or potentially serious ('a security incident', 'a diplomatic incident'). As an adjective it means accompanying or related. Neutral to formal register, common in news, law, and security.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'incidere' (to fall upon, happen), from 'in-' plus 'cadere' (to fall), via Old French, entering English in the 15th century.
Related Words
- occurred
- sparked
- involving
- incidents
- happened
- massacre
- allegedly
- prompted
- investigation
- radiation
Common Collocations
- isolated incident
- security incident
- minor incident
- report an incident
- diplomatic incident
Word Forms
incident (n & adj); incidents (pl); incidental (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B