Word
coincidental
Phoneticsco·in·ci·den·tal, stress on the fourth syllable
US/koʊˌɪnsəˈdɛntəɫ/
UK/kəʊˌɪnsɪdˈɛntəl/
Definition
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.
Examples
“It was a coincidental meeting at the park.”
“The two companies were founded on the same day, though their success was purely coincidental.”
“While the timing of the two events appeared suspiciously coincidental to the public, the investigators found no evidence of a prearranged plan.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“To many observers, the timing of Sunday's announcement of emergency rule is not coincidental.” “Perhaps not coincidental to its history, Trastevere has long been Rome’s bohemian neighborhood.” Etymology
From co- + incidental.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/coincidental