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

The parallel isn’t a coincidence, according to Jones. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026

Probably not a coincidence that Jerry signed Williams first when there were bigger fish to fry. —Kevin Sherrington feb. 21, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026

What started with a desperate call to the town undertaker evolved into teens spending hours dialing 867-5309 and asking for Jenny, in accordance with the popular '80s song--an unfortunate coincidence for anyone who had the number. —Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026

Estrada Cervantes, the law professor, agreed that the timing of Mexico’s public release of figures is no coincidence. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 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