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 of coincidental

• coincident
• concurrent
• synchronous
• synchronic

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

Prosecutors analyzed the deaths and argued that the two similar deaths couldn't be coincidental. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026

The choice to put his face on a $250 bill wasn’t coincidental, with the number commemorating the United States’s 250th birthday. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026

The timing is coincidental, Shamos said, with Denver Art Museum having completed major renovations and construction in recent years, and the University of Denver looking to bolster its own collection. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026

These anonymous-sounding titles are not coincidental. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

coincident + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coincidental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

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