synchronicity

noun

syn·​chro·​nic·​i·​ty ˌsiŋ-krə-ˈni-sə-tē 

ˌsin-

plural synchronicities

1

: the quality or fact of being synchronous

2

: the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (such as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality

—used especially in the psychology of Carl Gustav Jung

Did you know?

"It happens to everyone sooner or later: A certain number pops up wherever you go; an old friend you haven't seen in 20 years since high school appears the same day you're looking at her picture in a yearbook; you're singing a song and turn on the radio—and the same song is playing." Such coincidences, here described by Thomas Ropp in The Arizona Republic, March 29,1999, are examples of synchronicity. The concept is linked to the psychology of Carl Jung. Jung didn't coin the word (the "simultaneousness" sense of synchronicity was already in use), but he gave it special importance in his writings. Jung believed that such "meaningful coincidences" play an important role in our lives. Today, some people even look to synchronicities for spiritual guidance.

Examples of synchronicity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The entire month will be filled with synchronicities, beginnings and endings, as twists of fate turn us every which way. —Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2024

Gemini May 21 – June 20 Paying attention to the mundane side of your life can open your eyes to impressive synchronicities going on all around you. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2024

The key is finding the synchronicities between these unlikely characters with normal people. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2024

Shadow is one of them but also synchronicity, introversion and extroversion, the collective unconscious. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Medical Definition

synchronicity

noun

syn·​chro·​nic·​i·​ty ˌsiŋ-krə-ˈnis-ət-ē, ˌsin- 

plural synchronicities

: the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality

—used especially in the psychology of C. G. Jung