Coincidental - English Definition & Meaning

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Definition

Coincidental means happening by chance or accident at the same time. It suggests an unplanned concurrence of events. Think of it like bumping into a friend unexpectedly in a foreign city 😮. It's coincidental. It implies a surprising or unexpected occurrence. It can apply to events, meetings, or even discoveries. It is unplanned and unpredictable. It is not usually causal.

Etymology

The word "coincidental" comes from the word "coincidence," which is derived from the Latin words "co-" (meaning "together" or "with") and "incidere" (meaning "to fall upon"). This points to things falling together. The 'in-' root carries the sense of 'upon'. Hence, a shared event.

Examples

  • "It was purely coincidental that we were both wearing the same outfit."
  • "The coincidental meeting of the two scientists led to a groundbreaking discovery."
  • "The coincidental timing of the rain and the baseball game cancellation was unfortunate."
  • "It was coincidental that I was thinking of her when she called me. 📞"

Anecdote / Story

In 'The Matrix,' Neo's meeting with Trinity wasn't entirely coincidental; it was guided by Morpheus. However, from Neo's perspective, it might have seemed like a coincidental encounter that changed his life forever. The series explores the idea of fate versus chance. Was anything in the Matrix truly coincidental? The nature of coincidence is part of the philosophical core.

Encouragement

Use "coincidental" to describe unplanned events that happen at the same time. It shows your awareness of chance and circumstance. Use it to add a bit of serendipity to your words! 🎲

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