circumstance

[ sur-kuhm-stans or, especially British, -stuhns ]

/ ˈsɜr kəmˌstæns or, especially British, -stəns /

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See synonyms for: circumstance / circumstanced / circumstances / circumstancing on Thesaurus.com

noun

a condition, detail, part, or attribute, with respect to time, place, manner, agent, etc., that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor: Do not judge his behavior without considering every circumstance.

Usually circumstances . the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent: Circumstances permitting, we sail on Monday.

an unessential or secondary accompaniment of any fact or event; minor detail: The author dwells on circumstances rather than essentials.

circumstances, the condition or state of a person with respect to income and material welfare: a family in reduced circumstances.

an incident or occurrence: His arrival was a fortunate circumstance.

detailed or circuitous narration; specification of particulars: The speaker expatiated with great circumstance upon his theme.

Archaic. ceremonious accompaniment or display: pomp and circumstance.

verb (used with object), cir·cum·stanced, cir·cum·stanc·ing.

to place in particular circumstances or relations: The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.

Obsolete.

to furnish with details.
to control or guide by circumstances.

OTHER WORDS FOR circumstance

2 conditions, situation, things.

See synonyms for circumstance on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about circumstance

under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never: Under no circumstances should you see them again.

under the circumstances, because of the conditions; as the case stands: Under the circumstances, there is little hope for an early settlement.Also in the circumstances.

Origin of circumstance

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin circumstantia (circumstant-, stem of circumstāns, present participle of circumstāre “to stand round”), equivalent to circum- circum- + stā- stand + -nt present participle suffix + -ia noun suffix; see -ance

Words nearby circumstance

circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumspectly, circumstance, circumstanced, circumstantial, circumstantial evidence, circumstantiality, circumstantiate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use circumstance in a sentence

We don’t know if this research on the 1960s uprisings can be perfectly generalized to protests today, when the circumstances, political climate, and population are different.
Violent protests against police brutality in the ’60s and ’90s changed public opinion|German Lopez|August 28, 2020|Vox
Emergency use authorization gives physicians permission to use an experimental therapy in certain circumstances.
COVID-19 plasma treatments may be safe, but we don’t know if they work|Tina Hesman Saey|August 25, 2020|Science News
This time, China and India are expected to see dramatic contractions in their economies, placing a young consumerist generation in the circumstances their ancestors once faced and setting the stage for a potential revival of the savings culture.
Could the Recession Revive the Savings Gene in China and India?|Pallabi Munsi|August 16, 2020|Ozy
In most circumstances, these two would be shoo-ins for their national teams.
Guess Who’s Cheering for Brexit? South African Cricket|Charu Kasturi|August 12, 2020|Ozy

They bring valuable socialization and fitness opportunities to kids whose mental and physical health might have suffered otherwise, not to mention a safe space for children living in dangerous circumstances.
Is School Out Forever?|Daniel Malloy|August 9, 2020|Ozy
Certainly my instinct is to identify with the police, no matter the circumstance.
A Veteran’s View: NYC Cold War Between Cops and City Hall|Matt Gallagher|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The union does not under any circumstance condone violence of any kind, including against police officers.
The High-Priced Union Rep Charged With Attacking a Cop|Jacob Siegel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If a product is beautiful, why do you need all that pomp and circumstance?
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, there was a high school band striking up the Elgar march “Pomp and Circumstance.”
The Sexy Dream of the 747|Clive Irving|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Paul Newman—who now, finally, is none of these people—is clearly at home with his current circumstance: as no one but himself.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which latter circumstance he begged Mr. Perker to note, with a glowing countenance and many marks of indignation.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
A similar circumstance has occurred on the seashore at Hoy Lake, Cheshire, where several "fairy pipes" have been found.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
This circumstance had made her feel a deeper interest in Gilbert, and had quickened her friendship into love.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Her money-bags had been filled in Manchester, and from time to time in her history you are reminded of this circumstance.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, April 28, 1920|Various
If you wish, I will send a copy of the certificate of the duty done by this engine, which states very minutely every circumstance.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for circumstance

circumstance

/ (ˈsɜːkəmstəns) /

noun

(usually plural) a condition of time, place, etc, that accompanies or influences an event or condition

an incident or occurrence, esp a chance one

accessory information or detail

formal display or ceremony (archaic except in the phrase pomp and circumstance)

under no circumstances or in no circumstances in no case; never

under the circumstances because of conditions; this being the case

in bad circumstances (of a person) in a bad financial situation

in good circumstances (of a person) in a good financial situation

verb (tr)

to place in a particular condition or situation

obsolete to give in detail

Word Origin for circumstance

C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstāre to stand around, from circum- + stāre to stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with circumstance

circumstance

see extenuating circumstances; under the circumstances.

circumstance

OTHER WORDS FOR circumstance

Idioms about circumstance

Origin of circumstance

Words nearby circumstance

Words related to circumstance

How to use circumstance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for circumstance

Word Origin for circumstance

Other Idioms and Phrases with circumstance