circumstance

American  

[sur-kuhm-stans, -stuhns] / ˈsɜr kəmˌstæns, -stəns /

noun

1. 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.

2. Usually circumstances the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent.

   Circumstances permitting, we sail on Monday.

3. an unessential or secondary accompaniment of any fact or event; minor detail.

   The author dwells on circumstances rather than essentials.

4. circumstances, the condition or state of a person with respect to income and material welfare.

   a family in reduced circumstances.

5. an incident or occurrence.

   His arrival was a fortunate circumstance.

6. detailed or circuitous narration; specification of particulars.

   The speaker expatiated with great circumstance upon his theme.

7. Archaic. ceremonious accompaniment or display.

   pomp and circumstance.

   Synonyms:

   things, situation, conditions

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verb (used with object)

circumstanced, circumstancing

1. to place in particular circumstances or relations.

   The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.

2. Obsolete.

   1. to furnish with details.

   2. to control or guide by circumstances.

idioms

1. under the circumstances, because of the conditions; as the case stands: Also in the circumstances.

   Under the circumstances, there is little hope for an early settlement.

2. under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never.

   Under no circumstances should you see them again.

circumstance British  

/ ˈsɜːkəmstəns /

noun

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

2. an incident or occurrence, esp a chance one

3. accessory information or detail

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

5. in no case; never

6. because of conditions; this being the case

7. (of a person) in a bad financial situation

8. (of a person) in a good financial situation

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verb

1. to place in a particular condition or situation

2. obsolete to give in detail

circumstance More Idioms  

1. see extenuating circumstances; under the circumstances.

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Etymology

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; -ance

Example Sentences

The Army is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the mission, Spokesman Maj Montrell Russell told the BBC in a statement, including whether the crews complied with federal flying regulations and aviation safety protocols.

From BBC

Under normal circumstances, around 60 international teams would have been working on digs, a government official told AFP, but "all of these missions have left Iraq".

From Barron's

"We would both like to be here with different circumstances, but we knew a defeat would lead to this type of situation."

From BBC

It also said forces should narrow the circumstances in which they are logged on police databases - something that can generate a crime reference number.

From BBC

And some investors are impressed stocks haven’t fared even worse this month, given the circumstances.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accident
• action
• case
• cause
• coincidence
• crisis
• detail
• event
• fact
• factor
• fate
• incident
• matter
• occurrence
• status
• thing
• time