coincidence

noun

co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s 

-sə-ˌden(t)s

1

: the act or condition of coinciding : correspondence

… a perfect coincidence between truth and goodness …

—Robert South

2

: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection

… causal connection requires something more than mere coincidence as to time and place …

—Wayne R. LaFave

also : any of these occurrences

Synonyms

• occurrence

Examples of coincidence in a Sentence

It was mere coincidence that brought them together so far from Chicago.

By coincidence, every man in the room was named Fred.

“I'm going to Boston this weekend.” “What a coincidence! I am too.”

It was no coincidence that he quit his job at the bank a day after the robbery.

a series of strange coincidences

By a fortunate coincidence, we arrived at the theater at the same time.

Scientists have no explanation for the coincidence of these phenomena.

Recent Examples on the Web

The two hadn’t been in touch much after going off to different colleges, but ran into each other by total coincidence at a 50-mile race in Big Bear in 2024. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025

In an unusual coincidence, the first MusiCares ceremony, which honored the late David Crosby in 1991, was held the same week Carey won three Grammys off her debut album. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025

The world of innovation is littered with coincidence and fortuitous wandering and wondering. —Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025

That’s not coincidence — that’s coaching. —D’joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin coincidentia, derivative of coincident-, coincidens, present participle of coincidere "to agree in nature, coincide"

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coincidence

• incidence

Kids Definition

coincidence

noun

co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s 

1

: the act or condition of coinciding

2

a

: two things that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection

b

: either one of these happenings