coincide

verb

co·​in·​cide ˌkō-ən-ˈsīd  ˈkō-ən-ˌsīd 

coincided; coinciding

intransitive verb

1

a

: to occupy the same place in space or time

The base of the triangle coincides with one side of the square.

The heroic age of bridge construction coincided with the expansion of the railroads …

—Mario Salvadori

b

: to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent positions on a scale or in a series

100° Celsius coincides with 212° Fahrenheit.

2

: to correspond in nature, character, or function

" … our sentiments coincided in every particular … "

—Jane Austen

3

: to be in accord or agreement : concur

She coincided with his views on most subjects.

Synonyms

• accompany
• attend
• coexist
• concur
• co-occur
• synchronize

Choose the Right Synonym for coincide

agree, concur, coincide mean to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion.

agree implies complete accord usually attained by discussion and adjustment of differences.

on some points we all can agree

concur often implies approval of someone else's statement or decision.

if my wife concurs, it's a deal

coincide, used more often of opinions, judgments, wishes, or interests than of people, implies total agreement.

their wishes coincide exactly with my desire

Examples of coincide in a Sentence

The goals of the business partners coincide.

the heaviest snowfall of the season coincided with the start of our weeklong ski vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

This year’s installment, coinciding with the label’s 20th anniversary, features performances from TDE artists (SZA, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Doechii, Isaiah Rashad, SiR, Ab-Soul, Ray Vaughn, Zacari, and Kal Banx) and special guest performances. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Easterly, who has led the agency since 2021, will step down on January 20, 2025, coinciding with the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

The deal coincides with surging interest in the stablecoin industry amid recent moves by Stripe and Coinbase. —Lucinda Shen, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

This frosty milestone coincides with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s projection of a warmer, drier winter for most of Texas, driven by strong La Niña conditions. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin coincidere "to be identical in substance, agree in position," from Latin co- co- + incidere "to fall or drop (into), come by chance, chance to happen" — more at incident entry 1

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

coincide

verb

co·​in·​cide ˌkō-ən-ˈsīd 

coincided; coinciding

1

: to occupy the same place in space or time

2

: to occupy the same positions on a scale

3

: to agree exactly