Coincident Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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coincident

[koสŠหˆษชnsษชdษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

events happening by chance at the same time

Happening at the same time by accident; occurring together by chance.

Synonyms

accidental, unexpected, unplanned.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
coincident

Used when two or more events happen at the same time or place, often by chance, but they may or may not be related.

  • Their arrivals were coincident, both reaching the gate at exactly the same moment
  • The festival date was coincident with the public holiday
accidental

Used to describe something that happens by chance, and is usually unintended and unplanned.

  • The fire was caused by an accidental spark
  • They met each other in a cafรฉ by accidental chance
unplanned

Used to describe something that occurs without being planned in advance.

  • Their road trip was totally unplanned, they just decided to go
  • The unplanned repairs took longer than expected
unexpected

Used to describe something that was not anticipated or foreseen, often surprising.

  • The sudden storm was unexpected
  • His visit was completely unexpected, but pleasant

Examples of usage

  • Their meeting was purely coincident, as they had not planned to see each other.
  • It was coincident that we both arrived at the party at the same time.
Context #2 | Noun

something that happens by chance at the same time

A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.

Synonyms

accident, coincidence, concurrence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
coincident

Describes two or more events occurring at the same time or place; it's often used in technical or specialized contexts.

  • The thunder and lightning were coincident with the start of the storm.
  • The events were not just similar, they were coincident.
coincidence

Coherence when two or more events happen at the same time by chance.

  • It was a coincidence that we both wore the same shirt today.
  • What a coincidence meeting you here!
concurrence

Agreement in opinion or simultaneous occurrence, often in formal or technical contexts.

  • There was a concurrence of opinions among the experts.
  • The project was successful due to the concurrence of several favorable factors.
accident

An unexpected and non-deliberate event often causing damage or injury.

  • She broke her leg in a car accident.
  • The spill was just an accident.

Examples of usage

  • Their similar ideas were a strange coincident.
  • The fact that they both lost their phones on the same day was a strange coincident.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In statistics, coincidences are often analyzed to understand patterns and randomness.
  • The 'birthday paradox' illustrates how coincidences occur more frequently than expected in large groups, even with few options.
  • Quantum physics exhibits bizarre coincidences at a particle level, leading to strange entanglement phenomena.

Psychology

  • People are prone to see patterns and assign meanings to coincidences, often leading to superstitions.
  • This tendency to believe in meaningful coincidences is called 'apophenia'.
  • Psychological studies show that people remember significant coincidences more vividly than random events.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and books explore themes of coincidence, such as 'Sliding Doors' which reflects two possible lives based on a chance encounter.
  • The 2006 film 'The Lake House' portrays a love story that unfolds through a time-related coincidence.
  • Coincidences often drive plot twists in thrillers, enhancing suspense and intrigue.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers debate whether coincidences hold any deeper meaning or are purely random occurrences.
  • The concept connects to determinism versus free will, questioning if our lives are dictated by chance or design.
  • Famous philosophers, like Carl Jung, suggested that coincidences can reflect synchronicity, connecting events meaningfully.

Origin of 'coincident'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin 'coincidere', meaning 'to fall together'.
  • It combines 'co-' (together) and 'cidere' (to fall), reflecting an accidental coming together.
  • The word has been used in English since the late 1500s, evolving into its current form.

The word 'coincident' has its origins in the Latin word 'coincidentia', which means 'coincidence'. It entered the English language in the 18th century. The concept of events happening by chance at the same time has been of interest to philosophers and scientists throughout history, leading to discussions on determinism, causality, and randomness.


See also: coincide, coincidence, coincidental, coincidentally, coinciding.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,221, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.