Skip to main content
coincidence

coincidence

426 3.4
A surprising event that happens at the same time as another by chance
  • noun
  • /koʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/
: coincidencia
  • It was pure coincidence that they both arrived at the party at the same time.
  • just a coincidence
  • more than a coincidence
  • a chance coincidence

It's not a coincidence, it's cause and effect.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Synonyms

happenstance
vscoincidence
15 8.5

A chance event that seems planned but is actually an accident

is broader, covering accidental occurrences whether or not they appear arranged
synchronicity
vscoincidence
4 8.9

A meaningful coincidence that seems connected but has no clear cause

treats such events as accidental or surprising without special meaning
chance event
vscoincidence
1 3.4

An event that happens by accident and is not planned

adds that simultaneous occurrences can seem planned or especially surprising
fortuity
vscoincidence
  • Formal
1 9.1

An unexpected event that happens by chance

stresses accidental or surprising simultaneous occurrences that may seem planned
concurrence
vscoincidence
1 7.2

Two or more things happening at the same time

highlights accidental or surprising overlap that can seem intentionally arranged
co-occurrence
vscoincidence
7.1

More than one thing happening at the same time or in the same place

focuses on chance and surprise rather than mere simultaneous appearance

Compounds

A person who finds patterns or special meaning in events that are probably random

coincidence theory
  • Specialized
9.9

Study of events that look random but show hidden patterns

How Surprising

miracle
∞ 4.4
fluke
32 5.1
coincidence
426 3.4
happenstance
15 8.5

Surface Forms

coincidence singular
coincidences plural

Morphology

coincidence = coincide (transparent) = co + incide + ence

Formed from the verb 'coincide' + the nominalizing suffix '-ence'; if a learner knows 'coincide' the noun meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Coincidence comes from the Latin parts co- 'together' and incidere 'to fall'. Think of two events 'falling together' by chance, which helps explain why a coincidence is an accidental or surprising meeting of events.