coincidence

American  

[koh-in-si-duhns] / koʊˈɪn sɪ dəns /

noun

1. a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance.

   Our meeting in Venice was pure coincidence.

   Synonyms:

   fate, luck, accident

2. the condition or fact of coinciding.

3. an instance of this.

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coincidence British  

/ kəʊˈɪnsɪdəns /

noun

1. a chance occurrence of events remarkable either for being simultaneous or for apparently being connected

2. the fact, condition, or state of coinciding

3. (modifier) electronics of or relating to a circuit that produces an output pulse only when both its input terminals receive pulses within a specified interval Compare anticoincidence

   coincidence gate

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Other Word Forms

• noncoincidence noun
• precoincidence noun
• supercoincidence noun

Etymology

Origin of coincidence

First recorded in 1595–1605; coincid(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

Instead, these accomplishments are dismissed as coincidence or good timing.

From Science Daily

When he discovered it was one of only two available squad numbers, he felt it was more than coincidence as it was the date his close friend had died.

From BBC

By sheer coincidence, the press officer knew exactly who was responsible.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Last night, it was just a coincidence that he wasn't there," she told AFP.

From Barron's

Such success is no coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they are able to stand on two feet.

From BBC

Related Words

• accident
• fate
• fluke
• happening