coincidence

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

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

It’s no coincidence that all these companies are eyeing Seattle as a launchpad for stationless bike share.

— david gutman, The Seattle Times, "Bike-share companies vie for chance to set up shop in Seattle", 2 June 2017
By coincidence, Trump and Corbyn have each been married three times.

— jane merrick, CNN, "Jeremy Corbyn: An anti-establishment underdog who's got the 'X Factor'", 31 May 2017
In a strange coincidence, Jamey was born 10 weeks premature when Pope Francis visited Philadelphia in 2015.

— barbara boyer, Philly.com, "Michael R. Murphy, 37, professional copter pilot", 31 May 2017
As A-ma said, every story, every dream, every waking minute of our lives is filled with one fateful coincidence after another.

— chelsea cain, New York Times, "Missing Persons", 26 May 2017
Call it karma or coincidence, but Costes ended up reaching first base on a walk.

— jonas shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "After horrible call, Terps baseball coach doesn't hold back in caught-on-TV rant", 26 May 2017
The symbolism may have been a coincidence, but was powerful nonetheless.

— david lauter, latimes.com, "A glowing orb and a not-so-glowing review of the GOP healthcare bill: Trump's week was filled with events he didn't control", 26 May 2017
This is more than just a coincidence or a fan theory, though.

— lyndsey matthews, Harper's BAZAAR, "Apparently Marilyn Monroe Was The Inspiration For Twin Peaks", 23 May 2017
The coincidence in timing for Trump’s news conference couldn’t have been written better by a Hollywood scriptwriter.

— dan balz, Washington Post, "After weeks of tweeting, Trump and team face open questioning this coming week", 7 Jan. 2017

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”

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First Known Use: 1605

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COINCIDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

coincidence

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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

COINCIDENCE Defined for Kids

coincidence

play

noun co·in·ci·dence \kō-ˈin-sə-dəns\

Definition of coincidence for Students

1 : a situation in which things happen at the same time without planning It was a coincidence that we chose the same week for vacation.
2 : a condition of coming together in space or time The coincidence of the two events was eerie.