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 of coincidence

• 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

In a bit of coincidence, Keith reaches very special – but very different – milestones on both rosters with what has turned out to be one of the most important projects in his discography. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

For more than a century, people have wondered whether Hyde was the innocent victim of an amazing set of coincidences or a heartless killer who never paid for his crimes. — Dan Kelly august 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

In a cosmic coincidence, Simpson had her surgery the same day and at the same hospital as Liam Pointer. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Carr asserted that the timing was a coincidence and the license review was related to his DEI probe. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

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