coincidence
A surprising event when two or more things seem connected, but they happened only by chance, not because someone planned them.
A surprising situation in which two or more events appear related or connected, but in fact happened by chance rather than by plan or direct cause.
When two or more things happen together in time or place, without focusing on whether it is surprising.
The fact that two or more things happen at the same time, in the same place, or in a similar way, without focusing on surprise or chance.
A situation where two things match or fit each other exactly in position, time, or shape.
Exact correspondence or alignment in position, time, nature, or characteristics between two or more things.
- Base: coincidence
- Plural: coincidence, coincidences
a happy coincidence
1pleasant or lucky coincidence
A chance event that turns out to be good or helpful for someone.
- It was a happy coincidence that the conference was in the same city as my parents.
- By a happy coincidence, the only free seat was next to an old friend.
- Her skills matched the job perfectly, which was a happy coincidence for both sides.
by coincidence
1happening only because of chance
Used to say that something happened only because of chance, not because someone planned it.
- We met again years later, purely by coincidence.
- By coincidence, our flights landed at the same time.
- She found the lost photo by coincidence while cleaning her room.
it is no coincidence that
1stating events are meaningfully connected
Used to say that two things are connected in a meaningful way and did not happen only by chance.
- It is no coincidence that sales increased after we improved customer support.
- It is no coincidence that healthier cities also invest more in public transport.
- It is no coincidence that crime rates fell when unemployment went down.
just a coincidence
1downplaying a chance event
Used to say that something is only a chance event and does not have a special meaning or secret reason.
- The two errors looked related, but it was just a coincidence.
- Our birthdays are close, but that's just a coincidence.
- He said the same word, but it was just a coincidence, not a signal.
pure coincidence
1nothing but chance
Used to stress that something happened only because of chance, with no plan or special reason.
- Their meeting in another country was pure coincidence.
- The matching answers were pure coincidence, not cheating.
- Any similarity to real people is pure coincidence.
what a coincidence
1reacting to a surprising coincidence
A fixed phrase used to show surprise when something happens by chance in an interesting or unusual way.
- "You live in this building too? What a coincidence!"
- What a coincidence that we both chose the same gift.
- "Your brother works here as well? What a coincidence."