coincidence

noun

co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s How to pronounce coincidence (audio)
-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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In precisely the sort of coincidence that would become synonymous with the film series, Wong and Morgan picked up Reddick’s premise and ran with it, building out a mythology that has led to increasingly elaborate set pieces — and even bigger commercial success. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025 Praxis comes easily from the cabana, and the show suggests that any astuteness from the rich and young is a coincidence and temporary at that. Joe Joyce, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025 To O’Neill, Manson and West circling the Haight-Ashbury location at the same time seems too suspicious to be a coincidence. Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025 Through a coincidence of history, President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress Tuesday took place on the 92nd anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration. Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coincidence

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coincidence was in 1605

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Cite this Entry

“Coincidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

coincidence

noun
co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s How to pronounce coincidence (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on coincidence

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