coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidental deaths

Synonyms

• coetaneous
• coeval
• coexistent
• coexisting
• coextensive
• coincident
• concurrent
• contemporaneous
• contemporary
• coterminous
• simultaneous
• synchronic
• synchronous

Examples of coincidental in a Sentence

The fact that he and his boss went to the same college was purely coincidental.

the nearly coincidental deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

Recent Examples on the Web

The protagonist’s name and her obsession with anthropology likely aren’t coincidental. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025

This timing is not coincidental—Iran seeks to counter a new U.S. administration’s promises of maximum pressure by cementing ties with Russia. —Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025

Whether or not the timing of the song's surge in popularity was coincidental, it was never believed to be about Trump. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Home field, one-score games Perhaps the most coincidental statistic concerns home-field advantage. —Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

coincident + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidentally

-ˈdent-lē

-ᵊl-ē

adverb