coincidental

[koh-in-si-den-tl]

adjective

1. happening by or resulting from coincidence; by chance.

   a coincidental meeting.

2. existing or occurring at the same time.

coincidental

/ kəʊˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəl /

adjective

1. of or happening by a coincidence; fortuitous

Other Word Forms

• coincidentally adverb
• coincidently adverb
• noncoincidental adjective
• noncoincidentally adverb
• uncoincidental adjective
• uncoincidentally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of coincidental¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; coincident + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But it doesn’t seem coincidental that gold’s reversal of fortune in this century has followed global central banks’ preference for the metal over U.S.

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But how likely is it that this juxtaposition is coincidental?

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Trial judge Mr Justice Wall said the background of the case was "coincidental" to last week's attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.

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It might all be entirely coincidental but the lack of continuity at Forest has thrown the club into crisis.

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Those two tendencies are, of course, not independent or purely coincidental.

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Related Words

• circumstantial 
• fortuitous 
• incidental 
• unintentional