Coincidence vs. Happenstance — What's the Difference?

A coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances that have no apparent causal connection with one another. The perception of remarkable coincidences may lead to supernatural, occult, or paranormal claims.

A chance circumstance

A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection

(uncountable) The chance or random quality of an event or circumstance.

The fact of corresponding in nature or in time of occurrence

(countable) A chance or random event or circumstance.

The presence of ionizing particles or other objects in two or more detectors simultaneously, or of two or more signals simultaneously in a circuit.

An event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

The state or fact of occupying the same relative position or area in space.

A sequence of events that although accidental seems to have been planned or arranged.

Of objects, the property of being coincident; occurring at the same time or place.

Of events, the appearance of a meaningful connection when there is none.

(analysis) A coincidence point.

(geometry) A fixed point of a correspondence; a point of a variety corresponding to itself under a correspondence.

The condition of occupying the same place in space; as, the coincidence of circles, surfaces, etc.

The condition or fact of happening at the same time; as, the coincidence of the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Exact correspondence in nature, character, result, circumstances, etc.; concurrence; agreement.

An event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

The quality of occupying the same position or area in space;

The temporal property of two things happening at the same time;