Word
coincidence
Phoneticsco·in·ci·dence, stress on the second syllable
US/koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
UK/kəʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
Definitions
01chance connection
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. when two things happen at the same time by accident, but it feels like there is a special reason.
n. a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.
日本語:偶然※
“It was a strange coincidence that we both wore the same shirt today.”
“By a remarkable coincidence, the two long-lost siblings ended up working in the same office building without knowing it.”
Usage
Often used with the adjectives 'pure', 'mere', or 'strange'.
Pitfall
It was a big coincidence that we met.
It was a strange coincidence that we met.
While 'big' is understood, native speakers usually describe coincidences as 'strange', 'remarkable', or 'pure'.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse this with 'accident'. An accident is usually negative; a coincidence is about the timing or connection between events.
02happening together
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Technical
n. the fact of two things happening at the exact same time or being in the same place.
n. the state or fact of occupying the same relative position or occurring at the same time.
日本語:一致※
“The coincidence of the two festivals made the city very crowded.”
“The researchers noted a striking coincidence of high rainfall and increased crop yields over the last decade.”
Usage
Common in academic writing regarding data or historical events.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03math/geometry
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. a point where two different lines or shapes meet or are the same.
n. a point at which two or more functions, mappings, or geometric figures have the same value or position.
日本語:一致※
“The professor explained how to find the coincidence point of the two curves.”
“In fixed-point theory, a coincidence point for two mappings is a point in their domain that maps to the same element in the codomain.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “coincidence” in context.
Verb
01. attribute to coincidence
“Scientists attribute the simultaneous discovery to coincidence rather than collaboration.”
verb + prep + noun
02. dismiss as a coincidence
“The police dismissed the two similar crimes as a coincidence, but the detective was not convinced.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
Adjective
03. remarkable coincidence
“By a remarkable coincidence, I met my old school friend while traveling in Japan.”
adj + noun
04. sheer coincidence
“It was sheer coincidence that we both wore the same dress to the party.”
adj + noun
05. strange coincidence
“It is a strange coincidence that they share the same birthday and the same middle name.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. coincidence that-clause
“Is it just a coincidence that the power went out exactly when he touched the switch?”
noun + that-clause
Preposition
07. by coincidence
“By coincidence, I was just about to call you when your message arrived.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“That's because the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, which is 400 times farther away, making them appear the same size—a cosmic coincidence and gift from the universe.” “From Earth, a total solar eclipse occurs because the moon and the sun appear almost exactly the same size in our skies—a cosmic coincidence.” “The timing’s no coincidence: Global cooling did a number on the meg.” Etymology
From Middle French coincidence (French coïncidence). By surface analysis, coincide + -ence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/coincidence
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0