circumstance

[ sur-kuhm-stans or, esp. British, -stuhns ]
/ ˈsɜr kəmˌstæns or, esp. British, -stəns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumstance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We salute you if you remember all the doovers from Word of the Day between May 25 and May 31!
Question 1 of 7
salute
to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
to wield power; exercise rule.
to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for 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

1175–1225; Middle English < 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

circumscription, circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumstance, circumstanced, circumstantial, circumstantial evidence, circumstantiality, circumstantiate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to circumstances

outlook, precedence, rank, sphere, standing, prosperity, footing, state, station, lot, capital, resources, status, degree, means, income, situation, lifestyle, prestige, class

Example sentences from the Web for circumstances

British Dictionary definitions for circumstances

circumstance
/ (ˈsɜːkəmstəns) /

noun

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

Idioms and Phrases with circumstances

circumstance

see extenuating circumstances; under the circumstances.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.