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

It’s filled with wacky characters and wild coincidences, but the backdrop of abuse is all too real. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026

The choice of destination for Kate’s first trip abroad since her 2024 cancer diagnosis is no coincidence as early years development is the signature cause of the mother of three who will one day be queen. —Silvia Stellacci, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

The choice of destination for her first trip abroad since her 2024 cancer diagnosis is no coincidence, as early years development is the signature cause for Kate, the mother of three who will one day be queen. —Jean-Nicholas Fievet, NBC news, 13 May 2026

Lorena and the Current back-line It isn’t a coincidence that the return of the Current’s stingy, proactive and aggressive defense coincided with the return of the pairing that helped set a league record for consecutive minutes without conceding. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 May 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