coincidental

Coincidental is an adjective used to describe events or circumstances that occur by chance or by coincidence, rather than as the result of intentional action. It often implies that two or more elements align in an unexpected or noteworthy way, without suggesting deliberate design.

Etymology: Coincidental derives from coincidence, from Latin coincidere “to occur together,” formed from co- “together” and incidere “to fall upon.” The suffix -al yields the corresponding adjective.

Usage and nuance: In neutral usage, coincidental describes an intersection of events that seems unlikely but is not planned. The term can carry mild surprise. The noun coincidence refers to the occurrence itself; coincidence does not carry the adjectival sense. In more formal or precise contexts, terms such as accidental, fortuitous, or random may be clearer, depending on whether the emphasis is on lack of intent, luck, or randomness.

Grammatical notes: Coincidental is typically used attributively or predicatively, as in “a coincidental meeting” or “the event was coincidental.” Because it can imply that the alignment is meaningful, some writers prefer more explicit language if the intention is to avoid suggesting hidden meaning.