Coincidences

/koʊˈɪnsɪdənsɪz/ noun

Definition

Occurrences of events that happen at the same time or in similar ways by chance rather than being planned.

Etymology

From Latin 'coincidere': 'co-' (together) plus 'incidere' (to happen or fall upon). The word entered English in the 1600s, originally meaning physical or spatial overlap, then expanded to mean temporal or circumstantial overlap.

Kelly Says

Our brains are pattern-finding machines, so coincidences feel magical—but statistically, with billions of people and infinite possible connections, amazing overlaps happen constantly. The real miracle is that we notice some coincidences and forget the thousands of non-coincidences.

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