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 International in 2022, Swift, 34, said the poetic feel of her music was no coincidence. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Just by coincidence, David Trissel from San Diego and Sally Veach from Oceanside started 2023 individually with goals of setting new personal records for the numbers of birds recorded in a single year. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 News organizations were not the only ones to clock such coincidences. Ali Watkins, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 As a lieutenant in the Pacific War, the author read J.B. Priestley’s Midnight on the Desert on the journey home in 1946 and was moved by that book’s themes of coincidence and dreams. Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024 The Broncos, in a wild coincidence, also shot 15-for-26 in the second half, finishing at 57.7% for the game. Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 18 Feb. 2024 The coincidence has transformed both women into reluctant school safety experts and willing advocates for stronger gun control. USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 By coincidence, the F.T.C. on Thursday finalized a new rule giving it more powerful tools to combat criminals who impersonate businesses. Ron Lieber, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 By coincidence, the Pentagon launched new U.S. military satellites on Wednesday, adding to a network of small, versatile satellites that can keep military communications online during an attack in space. The Editors, National Review, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coincidence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near coincidence

Cite this Entry

“Coincidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!