coincidental
Americanadjective
-
happening by or resulting from coincidence; by chance.
a coincidental meeting.
-
existing or occurring at the same time.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- coincidentally adverb
- coincidently adverb
- noncoincidental adjective
- noncoincidentally adverb
- uncoincidental adjective
- uncoincidentally adverb
Etymology
Origin of coincidental
First recorded in 1790–1800; coincident + -al 1
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.
It’s a gentle Hollywood satire — and any resemblance to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is, you know, coincidental.
From Los Angeles Times
While not all of the aforementioned players see awards as central to their mission — Black Bear leading with “Christy” is coincidental, for instance — being in contention can help fledgling distributors find their footing.
From Los Angeles Times
Of course the very strange incident involving my car alarm after I returned home from the show was purely coincidental.
From Los Angeles Times
Everyone involved is careful to point out that any resonance with today’s headlines is purely coincidental because the project took about 10 years to complete.
From Los Angeles Times
“Any similarities between this site’s pure fantasy and actual people, places, and events are purely coincidental and all images should be considered altered and satirical.”
From Salon
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.
