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

In addition, the increase in puma density coincided with the highest penguin density ever recorded, Serota said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2025

In nearly every country on Earth, the arrival of children tends to coincide with a lasting drop in employment and earnings for moms but not dads. —Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025

According to Shawnee Mission East High School’s student newspaper, which published a feature about Oakley attending school basketball games, Skelton drove to Texas to pick up Oakley in September 2024, which coincides with when records obtained by The Star indicate the monkey was born. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 16 Dec. 2025

Flu cases are on the rise in Kentucky, coinciding with recent frigid temperatures. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

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