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
Robert South2
: 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
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
That disparity is not a coincidence.
—Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Cronenworth doesn’t attribute his gems to coincidence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Emma didn't proceed with the school shooting, not because of a change of heart, but because by coincidence, another shooting happened at the local mall the same week.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
More as a happy coincidence rather than as a conscious discussion point during negotiations, the hope is Newcastle may be in a position to move into their new site by the end of the three-year deal with KNOX, or at least soon afterwards.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coincidence
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Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Cronenworth doesn’t attribute his gems to coincidence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Emma didn't proceed with the school shooting, not because of a change of heart, but because by coincidence, another shooting happened at the local mall the same week.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
More as a happy coincidence rather than as a conscious discussion point during negotiations, the hope is Newcastle may be in a position to move into their new site by the end of the three-year deal with KNOX, or at least soon afterwards.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coincidence
Cite this Entry
“Coincidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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