concurrence
kun-KUR-ens
/kənˈkɜːrəns/
The fact of two or more events or circumstances happening or existing at the same time; agreement or consistency.
Can mean either 'happening at the same time' or 'being in agreement.'
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'concurrere,' meaning 'to run together' or 'to assemble.' Imagine two people running separate paths that suddenly merge into one.
Word relationships
- simultaneity: Simultaneity is purely about time; concurrence often implies agreement or a shared path.
- divergence: The process or state of departing from another.
Commonly confused with
- coincidence: Coincidence implies no causal link; concurrence is more neutral about the link.
Word family
- concurrent (adjective): happening at the same time
- concur (verb): to happen at the same time; to agree
Collocations
- concurrence of events
- in concurrence with
- seek concurrence
Example sentences
- "The judge issued a concurrence, agreeing with the majority's decision but for different reasons." Legal opinion.
- "The concurrence of the two revolutions changed the course of European history." Historical events.
Memory hook
Con- (together) + Current (running). Running together. Running together.
When not to use
Don't use when you want to emphasize the 'luck' of the timing (use coincidence).
Fun facts
- In computer science, 'concurrency' refers to the ability of different parts of a program to be executed out-of-order without affecting the outcome.
Related words
Explore more words
concur, concurrent, simultaneous, unison, consensus, Synchronous
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