Coincide and divide are opposites in direction. Coincide is for two independent things to occupy the same point or happen at the same time. Divide is to split a whole into parts or shares. Coincide brings two things to one shared point; divide breaks one whole into several.
One brings two things to a single point; the other splits one whole into parts. Coincide, from co- 'together' and incidere 'to fall upon', means two things fall on the same spot or moment. Divide, from Latin dividere 'to force apart', splits one whole into measured parts or shares. Two dates coincide; an estate is divided among heirs. One converges two things on a point; the other makes several out of one.
coincide
To coincide is to occupy the same point — in time, space, or opinion — while belonging to different paths. From the Latin co-incidere, 'to fall upon together'. Festivals coincide with full moons; an interview coincides with a strike; two rivals' interests briefly coincide. The word insists on independence: neither schedule bent for the other, which is exactly what makes coincidence feel like fate — two orbits, each obeying only itself, agreeing on a single moment.
divide
To divide is to split a whole into parts — often equal ones, and often methodically: divide a cake into six, divide the class into groups, divide twelve by three. From the Latin dividere, 'to force apart'. It is the tidy, measured cousin of split. As a noun, a divide is a gap or rift between groups — the digital divide, a widening social divide. The word reaches into maths (dividend, divisor) and into the old strategy of divide and conquer.
| coincide | divide | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | occupy the same point or time | split a whole into parts or shares |
| Direction | two things to one point | one into many |
| The result | two things meeting at a point | measured parts or portions |
| Often with | dates, events, lines, opinions | land, money, a class, opinion |
| Noun | coincidence | division |
| Example | The dates coincide. | They divided the estate. |
Ask whether two things meet at a point or one whole is split. Coincide brings two things to the very same point or moment — two rings crossing at one spot. Divide cuts one whole into measured parts — a pie into even wedges. If two things share a single point, they coincide; if one whole is split into parts, that is divide.
coincide
- iHer visit happened to coincide with the festival.
- iiThe two lines coincide at exactly one point.
- iiiOur views on the matter largely coincide.
divide
- iThey divided the land equally among the four children.
- iiThe teacher divided the class into six groups.
- iiiThe issue divided the party down the middle.
Coincide brings two things to a shared point; divide splits one whole into parts. They oppose in direction — two toward one point versus one into many. Both have a figurative use about opinion: views coincide when they agree, while an issue divides people when they disagree.