incident

/ɛ̃.si.dɑ̃/
nounIntermediate
general

An unexpected or accidental event, often minor in nature.

La police a enquêté sur l'incident.

The police investigated the incident.

💡

Can refer to accidents, disputes, or any sudden occurrence.

Collocations

un incident mineura minor incidentun incident diplomatiquea diplomatic incidentun incident techniquea technical incident

Synonyms

Antonyms

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

In formal contexts, 'incident' is preferred over 'accident' when the cause is unclear.

📖Word Origin

From Latin 'incidentia', meaning 'falling upon' or 'happening'.

📝Usage Notes

Often used in formal or technical contexts to describe unexpected events.

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais