Coincide Meaning

Understanding the Meaning of "Coincide"

The word "coincide" describes a situation where two or more things happen at the same time or are in the same place, often implying a degree of unexpectedness or significance. It suggests a concurrence, an alignment, or a shared occurrence that goes beyond mere simultaneity. Understanding its various nuances is crucial for accurate comprehension and effective communication. This article will explore the multiple facets of the word "coincide" with examples and explanations to ensure a thorough understanding.

1. Coincidence in Time: Simultaneous Occurrences

The most common understanding of "coincide" refers to events happening concurrently. This implies a shared timeline, where two or more independent occurrences overlap. For example:

"The launch of the new product coincided with a major market crash." This sentence indicates that both events – product launch and market crash – happened at the same time, potentially impacting each other.
"My birthday coincides with the national holiday." This implies a shared date, making the birthday celebrations potentially more elaborate or affected by the public holiday.

This temporal coincidence can be planned or completely accidental. The planned coincidence, like scheduling a meeting to coincide with a colleague's arrival, is deliberate. The unplanned coincidence, like winning the lottery on your anniversary, is often considered fortuitous or remarkable.

2. Coincidence in Space: Shared Location or Position

"Coincide" can also describe a shared physical location or position. This applies when two or more things occupy the same space or area simultaneously or are perfectly aligned. For instance:

"The two lines on the graph coincide at the point (2,4)." This refers to the geometric intersection of two lines at a specific coordinate.
"The boundaries of the two properties coincide, creating a shared fence line." Here, the geographical borders overlap.

In spatial coincidence, the emphasis lies on the shared location rather than the timing. It's often used in mathematical, geographical, or architectural contexts.

3. Coincidence in Opinion or Agreement: Shared Views or Beliefs

Beyond temporal and spatial aspects, "coincide" can also refer to the agreement or alignment of opinions, ideas, or perspectives. This indicates a convergence of thought or belief. Consider these examples:

"Their views on education largely coincide." This suggests a significant overlap in their educational philosophies.
"Our assessment of the situation coincides with the findings of the independent investigation." This indicates agreement on the conclusions drawn.

This usage highlights a harmony of understanding or judgment, emphasizing the shared perspective rather than a mere similarity.

4. Coincidence and its Implied Significance

While "coincide" simply means to occur at the same time or place, the word often carries an implicit connotation of significance or unexpectedness. A simple overlap might be described as "occurring simultaneously," but a coincidental meeting with a long-lost friend would more appropriately be described as events "coinciding." This subtle difference highlights the serendipitous or remarkable nature of the event. The context significantly influences the reader’s perception of the importance of the coincidence.

5. The Distinction between Coincidence and Correlation

It's crucial to distinguish "coincide" from "correlate." While coinciding events occur at the same time or place, they don't necessarily imply a causal relationship. Correlation, on the other hand, suggests a statistical relationship between two variables, where a change in one is associated with a change in the other. Two events can coincide without being correlated, and vice versa. For example, the increase in ice cream sales and drowning incidents might coincide during summer, but one doesn't cause the other (correlation is likely due to a third factor – hot weather).

Summary

The word "coincide" encompasses a broad range of meanings, all revolving around the idea of shared occurrence or alignment. Whether it's simultaneous events, shared locations, or converging opinions, "coincide" emphasizes the concurrence of elements, often with an implied sense of significance or unexpectedness. Understanding this versatility is key to correctly interpreting and utilizing the word in different contexts.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between "coincide" and "occur simultaneously"? While both phrases imply events happening at the same time, "coincide" often suggests a more meaningful connection or unexpectedness, while "occur simultaneously" is a more neutral description of temporal overlap.

2. Can "coincide" be used for planned events? Yes, although it's less common. You could say, "The meeting was planned to coincide with the deadline."

3. Is "coincide" always positive? Not necessarily. Coinciding events can be positive (winning the lottery on your birthday), negative (a power outage coinciding with a crucial presentation), or neutral (two trains arriving at the same station).

4. What's the best synonym for "coincide"? Depending on the context, synonyms include: concur, correspond, overlap, intersect, align, synchronize.

5. How can I use "coincide" in a sentence correctly? Ensure you understand the context and use it to describe a genuine shared occurrence, either in time, space, or opinion, often highlighting a degree of unexpectedness or significance. For example: "The rise in unemployment coincided with a decrease in consumer spending."

Search Results:

COINCIDE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com Coincide definition: to occupy the same place in space, the same point or period in time, or the same relative position.. See examples of COINCIDE used in a sentence.

Coincide - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com When things happen at the same time, they are said to coincide. Often, this is because they're intentionally coordinated — "the bake sale coincided with Parent Day" — but not always. …

coincide verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes ... Definition of coincide verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [intransitive] (of two or more events) to take place at the same time. It's a pity our trips to New York don't coincide. …

Coincide - definition of coincide by The Free Dictionary co•in•cide (ˌkoʊ ɪnˈsaɪd) v.i. -cid•ed, -cid•ing. 1. to occupy the same location or period in time: Our vacations coincided this year. 2. to correspond exactly, as in nature. 3. to concur: Our opinions …

COINCIDE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary If one event coincides with another, they happen at the same time. The exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of his death. [VERB + with] Although his mental illness had coincided …

coincide - WordReference.com Dictionary of English to occupy the same place in space, the same point or period in time, or the same relative position: The centers of concentric circles coincide. Our vacations coincided this year. to correspond …

COINCIDE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary COINCIDE definition: 1. to happen at or near the same time: 2. to be the same or similar: 3. to happen at or near the…. Learn more.

COINCIDED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary COINCIDED definition: 1. past simple and past participle of coincide 2. to happen at or near the same time: 3. to be the…. Learn more.

Coincide - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English Use when two or more events happen at the same time exactly or when things match perfectly in terms of position or time. Her birthday coincides with Christmas. Their opinions on the matter …

COINCIDE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster The meaning of COINCIDE is to occupy the same place in space or time. How to use coincide in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Coincide.