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

Campbell said the donation falling the day after the letter from Paxton’s office was a coincidence. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026

But Broome, the vice president of sports card grading for Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), could only claim coincidence when the most famous cards for Mickey Mantle, Wayne Gretzky and Honus Wagner came through the door. — Larry Holder, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Ultimately, though, what will make this team more than an odd coincidence of 2010 and a full on echo in time is if there’s a victory on Sunday in East Rutherford. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Call it a coincidence -- or a tribute and celebration, one night early, for English midfielder Jude Bellingham. — Miami Herald, 12 July 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