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

A force spokesperson said: "There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

From BBC

Expedition organizers Blackbird Mountain Guides on Wednesday said all staff in the group were professionally trained, and urged people to avoid speculating about the circumstances.

From Barron's

"Under normal circumstances, organisations would simply switch off the feature and wait till governance caught up," Henein said.

From BBC

Under international law, there is no distinction between a state carrying out the attack and those which have supported that state, if the latter has "knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act".

From BBC

Moreover, King just thinks it’s bad form for a cruise line to bump a passenger involuntarily — no matter the circumstance.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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