coincidence

noun

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

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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.
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 what is almost certainly not a coincidence, the decline has been matched by a drop in the number of U.K. artists breaking through, both domestically and internationally. — Mark Sutherland, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025 Though three can’t possibly be a coincidence, Tzarina isn’t wrong to expect restaurateurs to enjoy their Wagyu steak at the correct temperature, which is medium rare; even Jason agrees. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025 The timing of the assault on Goma, which coincided with the arrival of the second Trump administration, is unlikely to have been a coincidence. — Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025 For the galaxies to all be in the same plane and move in the same direction seems like too much of a coincidence. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Feb. 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

Rhymes for coincidence

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Browse Nearby Words

coincidence
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Cite this Entry

“Coincidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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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

Nglish: Translation of coincidence for Spanish Speakers

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