The difference between Accidental and Circumstantial

When used as nouns, accidental means a property which is not essential, whereas circumstantial means something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance.

When used as adjectives, accidental means not essential, whereas circumstantial means pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials.

check bellow for the other definitions of Accidental and Circumstantial

  1. Accidental as an adjective:

    Not essential; incidental, secondary.

  2. Accidental as an adjective (philosophy):

    Nonessential to something's inherent nature (especially in Aristotelian thought).

  3. Accidental as an adjective (music):

    Adjusted by one or two semitones, in temporary departure from the key signature.

  4. Accidental as an adjective:

    Occurring sometimes, by chance; occasional.

  5. Accidental as an adjective:

    Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; by accident, unintentional.

  6. Accidental as an adjective (geometry):

    Being a double point with two distinct tangent planes in 4-dimensional projective space.

  1. Accidental as a noun:

    A property which is not essential; a nonessential; anything happening accidentally.

  2. Accidental as a noun (painting, pluralonly):

    Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous rays falling on certain objects so that some parts stand forth in abnormal brightness and other parts are cast into a deep shadow.

  3. Accidental as a noun (music):

    A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the commencement of a piece of music as the signature, but before a particular note.

  1. Circumstantial as an adjective:

    Pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials; incidental, not essential.

  2. Circumstantial as an adjective:

    Abounding with minor circumstances; in great detail; particular.

  3. Circumstantial as an adjective:

    Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.

  4. Circumstantial as an adjective (legal):

    Suggesting guilt, but not proving it conclusively.

    Examples:

    "It is unlikely he will be convicted; the evidence against him is circumstantial at best."

  1. Circumstantial as a noun (chiefly, in the plural):

    Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance.

    Examples:

    "the circumstantials of religion"

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