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
However, the timing of Tuesday's outing is no coincidence.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Advertisement This sudden increase in unemployment and financial worry among Black women is not a coincidence.
—Marianne Cooper, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Witnessing two eclipses in a single day is a rare celestial coincidence, a reminder that the universe still has a few breathtaking surprises up its sleeve.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a happy coincidence, in 2005, our debut year, Min-Liang Tan, the protagonist of this issue’s cover story, set up gaming devices company Razer after giving up a career in law.
—Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coincidence
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Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Advertisement This sudden increase in unemployment and financial worry among Black women is not a coincidence.
—Marianne Cooper, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Witnessing two eclipses in a single day is a rare celestial coincidence, a reminder that the universe still has a few breathtaking surprises up its sleeve.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a happy coincidence, in 2005, our debut year, Min-Liang Tan, the protagonist of this issue’s cover story, set up gaming devices company Razer after giving up a career in law.
—Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coincidence
Cite this Entry
“Coincidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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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