coincidence

noun co·in·ci·dence \ kō-ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s , -sə-ˌden(t)s \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: coincidence in a Sentence

Definition of coincidence

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

See coincidence defined for English-language learners

See coincidence defined for kids

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 of coincidence from the Web

By coincidence, Myers said that right before a pause in the debate, to coordinate with a live radio broadcast.

— david weigel, Washington Post, "In Wisconsin, a Democratic star finds himself in a primary brawl," 9 July 2018
My friend was dumbfounded by the coincidence, but Farquaad acted fast.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "Lord Farquaad Is a Style Icon," 29 June 2018
And is if any of the players needed another dose of reality, early in the scrimmage they were reminded of their teammate by an eerie coincidence.

— jim derry, NOLA.com, "Hannan baseball community focused on CF Brandon Klein after batting cage accident," 15 Feb. 2018
By coincidence Mette-Marit also played an important symbolic role in the darkest moment in Norway’s recent history—when her stepbrother was killed in the mass shooting by Anders Breivik in 2011.

— michael joseph gross, Town & Country, "How Commoners Are Saving the Royal Families of Europe," 17 Jan. 2018
Still, there was a small chance — about 1 in 1,000 — that the neutrino's apparent origin and the blazar signal were mere coincidence.

— amina khan, latimes.com, "After years of searching, scientists finally trace high-energy neutrinos to a distant blazar," 12 July 2018
So it’s likely not a coincidence that Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is trying to get the court nominee confirmed before the elections.

— james pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "These six people could decide whether Trump’s nominee will actually join the Supreme Court," 9 July 2018
Two clients getting engaged to their respective partners after roughly a month of dating each could just be a happy coincidence.

— refinery29.com, "Justin Bieber & Ariana Grande’s Engagements Start Conspiracy Theory: Their Manager Made Them," 8 July 2018
And, for her, the funniest moments don’t require a clever pun or a zany coincidence.

— justine harman, Glamour, "Sharon Horgan Is the Realest Mother on TV," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coincidence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of coincidence

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1605

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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coincidence Synonyms

COINCIDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

coincidence

noun

Definition of coincidence for English Language Learners

: a situation in which events happen at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected
: the occurrence of two or more things at the same time
: the state of two or more things being the same