coincidence

noun

co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s 

-sə-ˌden(t)s

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

Synonyms

• occurrence

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 on the Web

At the same time, Babs’s youngest daughter, Sis, has gone missing, which doesn’t seem at all like a coincidence. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 June 2025

That, however, wasn’t the big coincidence, as the sisters are close and have known about their relationship for many years. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 25 June 2025

On the other hand, the urge to return and return to a certain recognizable life experience—like adolescence—is probably not a coincidence. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025

What connects Aesop, Le Labo, Byredo, Tekla, and Diptyque isn’t a coincidence. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coincidence

• incidence

Kids Definition

coincidence

noun

co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s 

1

: the act or condition of coinciding

2

a

: two things that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection

b

: either one of these happenings