coincidence
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for coincidence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A remarkable occurrence of two or more events happening at the same time by chance, without any real connection.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use coincidence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
quite a coincidence
by coincidence
sheer coincidence
Etymology
From French coïncidence, built from coincide + -ence.
Full origin of coincidence →Frequently asked questions
What does “coincidence” mean?
The word “coincidence” means a remarkable occurrence of two or more events happening at the same time by chance, without any real connection. In plain terms, an unplanned event that happens to line up with another, making it feel meaningful even though it's just chance.
How do you pronounce “coincidence”?
“Coincidence” is pronounced koh-IHN-sih-duhns (/koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “coincidence” in a sentence?
Here is “coincidence” used in a sentence: “It was quite a coincidence running into you here.”
What is another word for “coincidence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “coincidence” include synchronicity.
What part of speech is “coincidence”?
“Coincidence” is a noun.
Where does the word “coincidence” come from?
The word “coincidence” comes from French. From French coïncidence, built from coincide + -ence.
Is “coincidence” a common word?
“Coincidence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a 'coincidence' and 'fate'?
A coincidence is a chance occurrence of events happening together without any real connection, whereas fate implies events are predetermined and meaningfully linked. Calling something a coincidence stresses randomness; calling it fate stresses purpose.
What is the difference between 'coincidence' and 'synchronicity'?
A coincidence is simply two or more events occurring together by chance with no real connection. Synchronicity, a term from psychology, describes coincidences that feel meaningfully related to the observer even without a causal link, adding a sense of significance that a plain coincidence lacks.
What does the phrase 'pure coincidence' emphasise?
'Pure coincidence' stresses that events lined up entirely by chance, with no hidden cause, plan, or connection between them. The word 'pure' rules out any suggestion of design or intention.
Is it correct to say 'mere coincidence'?
Yes. 'Mere coincidence' is a common and correct collocation that downplays events as nothing more than chance, denying any deeper meaning or connection. It is often used to reassure someone that a striking overlap was not significant.
