ENGLISH
REFERENCE

coincidental

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //koʊˌɪnsəˈdɛntəɫ// UK //kəʊˌɪnsɪdˈɛntəl// co·in·ci·den·tal

adj. happening at the same time by chance, not because one thing caused the other. You use this to describe two events that are not connected.

adj. occurring at the same time by chance or without any direct connection. Often used to describe events that appear related but are actually independent.


SIMPLE

It was a coincidental meeting at the park.

CONTEXTUAL

The two companies were founded on the same day, though their success was purely coincidental.

COMPLEX

While the timing of the two events appeared suspiciously coincidental to the public, the investigators found no evidence of a prearranged plan.

Synonyms
Origin

From co- + incidental.

© 2026 English Reference