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

For now, it’s not expected to turn into a major storm, but the National Hurricane Center issued a statement explaining the coincidence just in case. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026

This was an unusual-feeling time to begin with, what made it so that coincidences seemed like the work of destiny. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Here’s how this unlikely meteorological coincidence happened. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

The coincidence was particularly notable because Parton and Curry were both born in 1946 – Parton in January and Curry exactly three months later in April – before going on to leave very different but enduring marks on American pop culture. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 26 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