coincide

verb

co·​in·​cide ˌkō-ən-ˈsīd  ˈkō-ən-ˌsīd 

coincided; coinciding

intransitive verb

1

a

: to occupy the same place in space or time

The base of the triangle coincides with one side of the square.

The heroic age of bridge construction coincided with the expansion of the railroads …

—Mario Salvadori

b

: to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent positions on a scale or in a series

100° Celsius coincides with 212° Fahrenheit.

2

: to correspond in nature, character, or function

"… our sentiments coincided in every particular …"

—Jane Austen

3

: to be in accord or agreement : concur

I coincided with their views on most subjects.

Synonyms of coincide

• accompany
• happen

Choose the Right Synonym for coincide

agree, concur, coincide mean to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion.

agree implies complete accord usually attained by discussion and adjustment of differences.

on some points we all can agree

concur often implies approval of someone else's statement or decision.

if my wife concurs, it's a deal

coincide, used more often of opinions, judgments, wishes, or interests than of people, implies total agreement.

their wishes coincide exactly with my desire

Examples of coincide in a Sentence

The goals of the business partners coincide.

the heaviest snowfall of the season coincided with the start of our weeklong ski vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

February’s new moon coincides with the Lunar New Year — and an annular solar eclipse. —Nathaniel Levine, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026

Powerful onshore winds are forecast to coincide with some of the highest tides of the month, increasing the risk of moderate to locally significant coastal flooding, particularly during high tide cycles late Saturday into Sunday. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

The reopening also coincides with the completion of a new downtown paseo, a pedestrian connection linking Prete Plaza and the Round Rock Public Library, which opened in 2023. —Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026

The company’s use of Swiss vaults to hold its approximately 140 tons of gold—which backs its gold token but also forms part of its own treasury—coincides with a record precious metals rally. —Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin coincidere "to be identical in substance, agree in position," from Latin co- co- + incidere "to fall or drop (into), come by chance, chance to happen" — more at incident entry 1

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for coincide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Kids Definition

coincide

verb

co·​in·​cide ˌkō-ən-ˈsīd 

coincided; coinciding

1

: to occupy the same place in space or time

2

: to occupy the same positions on a scale

3

: to agree exactly