coincidence

coincidence Definition

co·inci·dence (kō in′sə dəns)

noun

the fact or condition of coinciding
an accidental and remarkable occurrence of events or ideas at the same time, suggesting but lacking a causal relationship

Etymology: Fr < ML coincidentia

coincidence Synonyms

Correspondence
simultaneity, conjunction, concurrence, co-occurrence, coexistence, accord, accordance, consonance, unison, parallelism, concomitance, contemporaneousness, simultaneousness, synchronism, synchronicity; see also agreement 2.
An incidental occurrence
accident, fluke*, eventuality; see accident 2, chance 1, event 1.

coincidence Usage Examples

Preposition: that

country: It is no coincidence that the countries most ravaged by the HIV/AIDS pandemic currently changing the face of Africa are also the poorest.

Converse of object

pend: Otherwise clicking this bottom button opens a window which displays the text Pending coincidences and a list of these.
explain: All sorts of theories have been invented to explain this remarkable coincidence.
find: Of course, I found coincidences of hexagrams or mirrored hexagrams.
see: Collins: Er - I think it said they saw excess coincidences.

Adjective modifier

mere: Did this happen by a mere coincidence or chance?
spooky: Is this just a spooky coincidence or is there a little bit of rivalry going on?
curious: Then, in 1850, a very curious coincidence occurred.
uncanny: This would allow uncanny coincidences like this to occur, and perhaps give a reason for the aliens ' visitations.
strange: By a strange coincidence, the GLA seems to be involved in all these tasks.
fortuitous: The close correspondence between these two figures is not a fortuitous coincidence.

Modifies a noun

handling: If coincidence handling is switched off any process will automatically come to a halt as soon as a coincidence is encountered.
detection: Many hospitals now consider the option of coincidence detection when purchasing a new gamma camera.
datum: Only gate inputs received during coincidence data collection will be accepted.
one: By an improbable coincidence one of the three reproduced, that on f. 4 of B.L. Harl.

Noun used with modifier

chance: It is argued this is of low probability, even tho various circumstances are identified where such chance coincidence could exist.

Preposition: of

timing: Therefore, the year 2008 is just a coincidence of timing.
interest: So, neither the financial framework nor the coincidence of foreign policy interests exist that would sustain a common European defense posture.
date: In the event of a coincidence of due dates the relevant Chief Examiners will confer.
event: In 2002 the coincidence of two major rowing events in Nottingham, UK have resulted in the Festival of Rowing during August 2002.

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