incremental

American  

[in-kruh-men-tl, ing-] / ˌɪn krəˈmɛn tl, ˌɪŋ- /

adjective

1. increasing or adding on, especially in a regular series.

   small, incremental tax hikes.

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incremental British  

/ ˌɪnkrɪˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, using, or rising by increments

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• incrementally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of incremental

First recorded in 1675–85; increment + -al ¹

Explanation

If you are making incremental progress in math, you are moving slowly but steadily forward. Incremental describes regular, measurable movements that are usually small. Sometimes a basketball team might make a huge improvement, like a team that is 32-50 one year and then 50-32 the next. More often, progress is small and tiny — incremental. Anytime something is changing in any way, and the change is slow and steady, you can talk about incremental changes. A lot of life is like that. You might prefer to be making great or even miraculous progress, but incremental gains are better than none at all.

Example Sentences

They distribute checklists and tax organizers in late December, urging clients to make incremental progress early in tax season to avoid last-minute stress.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

If Apple succeeds in navigating these challenges, Siri could represent between $15 billion and $30 billion of incremental revenue opportunity and $2 of incremental earnings per share in fiscal 2030, Mohan predicts.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

"This rising uncertainty, alongside elevated fuel prices, acts as an incremental driver strengthening the case for EVs," says Nomura, the Japanese brokerage.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

This allows Western Digital to take down the convert overhang and reduce gross debt while limiting the cash outlay and managing incremental dilution, according to the analysts.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Yet over time, he’d won a few incremental victories, and this seemed to encourage him.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama