Mastering the Meaning of Coincident for the GRE
Explore the definition, history, and usage of the word ‘coincident’ to improve your vocabulary and performance on the GRE verbal section. Understand the nuanced difference between ‘coincident’ and ‘coincidental’ and learn how to apply this knowledge effectively.
Imagine you’re walking down the street and bump into an old friend you haven’t seen in years. At that exact moment, your phone buzzes with a message from another mutual friend mentioning the person you just ran into.
This seemingly impossible occurrence is what we might call coincident. But what exactly does this word mean, and how can understanding it help you ace the GRE?
Let’s find out.
Word type: Coincident is an adjective.
Meaning: Coincident describes events or circumstances that happen at the same time or occupy the same space.
It refers to things that correspond in nature, character, or time of occurrence.
Word history: The term coincident comes from the Latin word coincidere, which means to fall upon together.
It’s composed of co meaning together, and incidere meaning to fall upon or happen.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for coincident include concurrent, simultaneous, synchronous, and coexistent.
Antonyms: Antonyms of coincident are separate, different, unrelated, and distinct.
Examples use in sentences: The eclipse was coincident with her birthday, making the celebration even more memorable.
The two lines are coincident, meaning they occupy the same space and cannot be distinguished from each other.
Common errors in use: People often confuse coincident with coincidental. While they’re related, coincidental implies a surprising or unexpected nature to the occurrence, whereas coincident simply means happening at the same time or place without necessarily being surprising.
Understanding nuanced vocabulary like coincident can significantly boost your performance on the GRE verbal section.
Remember, coincident describes things occurring together in time or space, without implying they’re unexpected or related.
Keep practicing with complex words like this, and you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the vocabulary challenges in the GRE.
