5 syllables: in, ci, den, tal, ly. Stress on den.
in-sid-EN-tuh-lee
/ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəli/
incidentally is pronounced in-sid-EN-tuh-lee (/ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəli/). It has five syllables (in-ci-den-tal-ly), with the stress on "den". Incidentally means by the way, or in an incidental manner, often signaling a remark that is not central to the main topic. It can also indicate something that happens by chance. The word carries a formal to neutral register and is commonly used in spoken and written English to introduce a side note or a related, nonessential detail.
Incidentally means by the way, or in an incidental manner, often signaling a remark that is not central to the main topic. It can also indicate something that happens by chance. The word carries a formal to neutral register and is commonly used in spoken and written English to introduce a side note or a related, nonessential detail.
- Commonly, learners misplace primary stress on the first or third syllable, producing in-SID-en-tly or in-sid-EN-tly. Fix by anchoring stress on /ˈdɛn/ and keeping the surrounding vowels lighter: in-sɪ-DEN-tə-li. - Another error is tensing the /t/ too hard in the middle, yielding an abrupt /t/ before /ə/. Practice with a light tap or soft release: /dɛn.tə.li/ rather than /dɛn.tlɪ/. - Some speakers drop the second /ɪ/ vowel, rendering /ˌɪnˌsɛnˈdɛn.li/; ensure there is a clear /sɪ/ before /dɛn/. - Final syllable reduction is common in rapid speech; keep /li/ as a crisp, unstressed ending, not a weak /lɪ/ or silent group. - Use minimal pairs to train your rhythm: incidentally vs. incidental, instantly vs. incidentally, insidently vs. incidentally. The goal is maintaining the four-syllable rhythm with a strong on /dɛn/ while delivering a light final /li/.
"I met her at the library, and incidentally, she was the author of the book I just finished."
"The recipe includes olive oil, avocado, and, incidentally, a pinch of cumin for extra flavor."
"Incidents were reported around the city; incidentally, this occurred just after the festival."
Pronounce as /ˌɪn.sɪˈdɛn.tə.li/ (US/UK) with four syllables. Primary stress on the second-to-last syllable: den. Start with /ˌɪn/ (in) with a short, lax vowel, then /sɪ/ (si) and /ˈdɛn/ (den) as the stressed peak, followed by /tə/ (tuh) and /li/ (lee). Keep the final /i/ brisk and light. Lip and tongue positions: initial 'in' lip relaxed, tongue high-mid for /ɪ/, alveolar /n/. The 'den' uses a clear /d/ and a short æ or ɛ vowel; avoid turning it into 'dense.' The final /li/ is a light, clear vowel with a slightly spread lips for the /iː/. Audio reference: consult a reputable dictionary or pronunciation site for native speaker samples.
Two common errors are: 1) Misplacing stress, saying in-SEN-dent-ly or in-sid-EN-tly. Correct by marking primary stress on the 'den' syllable: in-sɪ-DEN-tə-lee. 2) Slurring the middle consonants into a single cluster, producing in-sɪ den-tlɪ. Practice by isolating the middle /dɛn/ and then linking to /tə/ with a light stop, ensuring the /l/ remains distinct at the end.
US pronunciation typically has a slightly stronger rhotic flavor in American speech with clear /ɹ/ only in connected speech; however 'incidentally' itself doesn’t include /r/ but the preceding vowel may be slightly more centralized. UK speakers often maintain crisper consonants and a slightly shorter /ɪ/ in first syllable; AU tends to be flatter, with less vowel reduction in the second syllable and a smoother glide into the final /li/. All share primary stress on /DEN/ but vowel qualities shift subtly: /ɪ/ vs /ə/ in rapid speech.
The difficulty lies in the four-syllable rhythm with a secondary stress pattern and the subtle vowel shifts: the first syllable /ɪn/ reduces, the second syllable /sɪ/ must lead into the stressed /ˈdɛn/, and the final /li/ requires a light, quick release. English learners often misplace the primary stress and merge /dɛn/ with neighboring sounds, creating /ˌɪn.sɪˈden.tə/ without the clear final /li/. Practicing the whole sequence slowly helps lock the intended stress and timing.
A common unique consideration is the subtle /t/ release before the final /li/: avoid a heavy 't' that bleeds into /l/ or an over-aspirated /t/. The sequence /ˈdɛn.tə.li/ should feel like a light, clean transition between syllables. Also ensure the /l/ remains alveolar with contact on the alveolar ridge, not a velarized or dark /l/. In connected speech, you’ll often hear /ˌɪnˌsɪˈdɛn.tə.li/ with a natural, gentle secondary beat prior to the main stress.
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- US: Rhoticity is less relevant here, but you’ll hear a slightly tighter /ɪ/ in initial syllables and a crisp /dɛn/. Maintain clear /sɪ/ before the /d/ and avoid nasalization of /ən/. - UK: Expect crisper consonants and slightly more clipped vowels; maintain full /ə/ or /ɪ/ in the first syllable depending on speaker. - AU: Likely more vowel reduction in rapid speech; keep /ɪn/ less reduced, allow the /ʌ/ or /ə/ to appear in fast talk; keep the /li/ light and non-syllabic. - IPA references: Yendrick/Collins usage; again, common forms: /ˌɪn.sɪˈden.tə.li/. - General tips: keep the mouth ready for the /d/ by lightly touching the tongue to the alveolar ridge; avoid blending /d/ into /t/ or /n/ and ensure the /l/ is not velarized; practice with mouth shape: relaxed jaw, neutral lips, tip of tongue at alveolar ridge.
Incidentally derives from the late Latin incident- (past participle of incidere, to happen or fall upon) and the English adverbial suffix -ly. The root incid- relates to events 'falling upon' or 'occurring.' In Medieval Latin, incidere evolved through Old French into English, where the sense shifted from ‘happening’ or ‘accidental’ to the more precise English adverb meaning ‘as an incidental remark’ or ‘by chance.’ The word began appearing in English in the 17th century with careful, formal usage, often in scholarly or narrative prose to denote a remark that is not central to the main argument. Over time, the nuance broadened to include both intentional aside and incidental, accidental occurrences, but in modern use it most commonly introduces a side remark or a note about a related matter that is not essential to the main point.
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Words that rhyme with "incidentally"
-bly sounds
-lly sounds
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