coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidental deaths

Synonyms of coincidental

• coincident
• concurrent
• synchronous
• synchronic

Examples of coincidental in a Sentence

The fact that he and his boss went to the same college was purely coincidental.

the nearly coincidental deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

Recent Examples on the Web

The timing is not coincidental. —Lin Cherry, Fortune, 17 May 2026

The film — set amid Ireland’s care system — has remarkable, and coincidental, parallels with Keoghan’s own upbringing as a foster kid from one of Dublin’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 May 2026

That overseas connection with Salaün proved to be more than coincidental. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 May 2026

The timing is coincidental, but also fortuitous. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

coincident + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coincidental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

Kids Definition

coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidentally

-ˈdent-lē, 

-ᵊl-ē

adverb