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

Tohn stated on Instagram the matching outfits were a complete coincidence. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2026

The number of bodies piling up in Woodrell is clearly no coincidence, but in a place as menacing as Sterlin Harjo’s Oklahoma, can all this evil really fall at the feet of a mere county judge? — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

The researchers observed the same pattern during both years of the study, suggesting the destination was more than a coincidence. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Is that a trend to look at moving forward, or more of a coincidence, considering most Super Bowl champions have a lot of very good players at a lot of positions? — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 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