A coincidence is a surprising occurrence of related events that happen simultaneously without any planned or causal link.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Events happening at the same time by pure chance.
- A connection between things that has no clear cause.
- Often used with 'strange,' 'happy,' or 'pure' to show surprise.
Overview
The word 'coincidence' is derived from the prefix 'co-' (together) and 'incidere' (to fall upon). In essence, it describes events that 'fall together' in time or space. While humans are naturally inclined to look for patterns and meanings, a coincidence is strictly defined by the absence of a planned or logical connection. It is a fundamental concept in both daily conversation and statistical analysis, highlighting the unpredictable nature of reality.
Usage Patterns
'Coincidence' is almost always used as a countable noun. It is frequently modified by adjectives that emphasize the degree of surprise, such as 'strange,' 'remarkable,' 'unbelievable,' or 'mere.' The most common prepositional phrase used with it is 'by coincidence,' which functions adverbially to explain how an event occurred. Another frequent construction is the rhetorical phrase 'It is no coincidence that...', which is used to imply that a situation which looks like chance actually has an underlying cause or intention.
Common Contexts
You will most often hear this word in social situations when people discover unexpected similarities, such as having the same birthday or meeting a friend in a distant city. In academic or investigative contexts, the term is used to distinguish between 'correlation' (things happening together) and 'causation' (one thing causing another). In literature, a coincidence might be used as a 'deus ex machina' to resolve a plot, though critics often find this a sign of weak writing.
Similar Words Comparison
'Coincidence' is often compared to 'accident' and 'fate.' An 'accident' usually implies an unintended physical event, often with negative consequences (like a car crash). A 'coincidence' is specifically about the timing and relationship between events. 'Fate' or 'destiny' suggests that events are pre-ordained by a higher power or cosmic order, whereas 'coincidence' explicitly attributes the event to random chance and probability.
Examples
It was a complete coincidence that we met at the airport.
everydayIt was a total chance occurrence that we met at the airport.
By a strange coincidence, they were born on the same day in the same hospital.
informalBy an odd chance, they were born on the same day in the same hospital.
The researcher noted the coincidence of the two chemical reactions occurring simultaneously.
academicThe researcher noted the simultaneous occurrence of the two chemical reactions.
It is no coincidence that the company's stock rose just before the announcement.
formalIt is not a matter of chance that the stock rose before the news.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
What a coincidence!
An expression of surprise at a chance event.
A mere coincidence
Dismissing an event as being just chance.
A series of coincidences
Multiple chance events happening in a row.
Often Confused With
An accident is usually a negative mistake or mishap, whereas a coincidence is about the timing of two events.
Fate implies a supernatural power decided the outcome, while coincidence implies it happened randomly.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
In formal writing, avoid overusing 'coincidence' to explain complex events, as it can sound dismissive. In casual speech, it is often used as an exclamation ('What a coincidence!') to show enthusiasm. The adverb 'coincidentally' is a great way to transition between two related topics in a conversation.
Common Mistakes
A common error is using the verb 'coincide' when the noun 'coincidence' is needed. Another mistake is spelling it as 'coincidance'; remember it ends in '-ence'. Finally, learners sometimes use 'by coincidence' to mean 'by mistake,' which is incorrect.
Tips
Use 'by coincidence' to start stories
When telling a story about an unplanned meeting, start with 'By coincidence, I ran into...' to set the stage immediately.
Don't confuse with 'accident'
Use 'accident' for mistakes or mishaps, and 'coincidence' for surprising matches in timing or facts.
Meaningful coincidences
In English-speaking cultures, people often find coincidences very significant and may use them as 'signs,' even if they are logically just random.
Word Origin
From the Medieval Latin 'coincidere', meaning 'to fall upon together,' which entered Middle French as 'coincidence' before coming into English in the early 1600s.
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, people are fascinated by 'meaningful coincidences' and often share stories of them as a way to bond or express wonder at the complexity of life.
Memory Tip
Think of 'CO-' (together) and 'INCIDENCE' (event). It's when two 'incidences' happen 'together' by chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, a coincidence can be positive, negative, or neutral. It simply refers to the timing of events, not their quality.
Coincidence is about random timing, while irony involves a situation that is the opposite of what was expected. If you buy a car and your neighbor buys the same one, it's a coincidence; if a fire station burns down, it's irony.
No, 'coincidence' is only a noun. The verb form is 'coincide,' which means to happen at the same time.
This phrase is used to suggest that something was actually planned or has a logical reason, even if it looks like chance.
Test Yourself
It was a ___ coincidence that we both wore the exact same dress to the party.
'Mere' is commonly used to emphasize that something happened only by chance and nothing else.
We met in Paris by ___; neither of us knew the other was traveling.
The phrase 'by coincidence' requires the noun form.
what / a / coincidence / strange / !
This is the standard word order for an exclamation in English.
Score: /3
Summary
A coincidence is a surprising occurrence of related events that happen simultaneously without any planned or causal link.
- Events happening at the same time by pure chance.
- A connection between things that has no clear cause.
- Often used with 'strange,' 'happy,' or 'pure' to show surprise.
Use 'by coincidence' to start stories
When telling a story about an unplanned meeting, start with 'By coincidence, I ran into...' to set the stage immediately.
Don't confuse with 'accident'
Use 'accident' for mistakes or mishaps, and 'coincidence' for surprising matches in timing or facts.
Meaningful coincidences
In English-speaking cultures, people often find coincidences very significant and may use them as 'signs,' even if they are logically just random.
Examples
4 of 4It was a complete coincidence that we met at the airport.
It was a total chance occurrence that we met at the airport.
By a strange coincidence, they were born on the same day in the same hospital.
By an odd chance, they were born on the same day in the same hospital.
The researcher noted the coincidence of the two chemical reactions occurring simultaneously.
The researcher noted the simultaneous occurrence of the two chemical reactions.
It is no coincidence that the company's stock rose just before the announcement.
It is not a matter of chance that the stock rose before the news.
