coincide
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to occupy the same place in space, the same point or period in time, or the same relative position.
The centers of concentric circles coincide. Our vacations coincided this year.
-
to correspond exactly, as in nature, character, etc..
His vocation coincides with his avocation.
-
to agree or concur, as in thought or opinion.
Their opinions always coincide.
- Antonyms:
- contradict, differ
verb
-
to occur or exist simultaneously
-
to be identical in nature, character, etc
-
to agree
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has coincidedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have coincidedperfect
-
has been coincidingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are coincidingprogressive
-
is coincidingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been coincidingperfect progressive
-
am coincidingprogressive 1st person singular
-
coincidessingular 3rd person
-
coincidingparticiple
Past
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had coincidedperfect
-
had been coincidingperfect progressive
-
was coincidingprogressive singular
-
were coincidingprogressive plural
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coincidedparticiple
-
coincidedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of coincide
First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin coincidere, from Latin co- co- + incidere “to fall upon, befall” ( see incident)
Explanation
When things happen at the same time, they are said to coincide. Often, this is because they're intentionally coordinated — "the bake sale coincided with Parent Day" — but not always. Coincide can also mean happen together in other ways. "My mother's views on appropriate teen fashion do not always coincide with mine" is a tactful way to say she hates your clothes. You could also describe two roads coming together as coinciding — though it's more poetic to talk about when they diverge.
Vocabulary lists containing coincide
Eclipse Vocabulary
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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Latin Love, Vol II: cadere
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He started appearing on Bulls broadcasts in 2006 and became the full-time color commentator in 2008, which also happened to coincide with the start of the Derrick Rose era in Chicago.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
That means a rising VIX would coincide with an S&P 500 selloff, and that falling tide would lower all boats.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
Interestingly, the longest day of the year does not necessarily coincide with the earliest sunrise or latest sunset.
From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026
More recently, limited-edition Diet Coke cans were released to coincide with “The Devil Wears Prada” sequel.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Dad and Mother timed their books to coincide with Mother’s annual intervals of unavoidable delay.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
