circumstantial

[sur-kuhm-stan-shuhl]

adjective

1. relating to or derived from circumstances.

   a circumstantial result;

   circumstantial evidence.

2. of the nature of a circumstance or minor detail; nonessential; secondary.

   of circumstantial importance.

3. dealing with or giving circumstances; detailed; particular.

   a circumstantial report of a business conference.

   Synonyms: precise, exact, thorough, minute

4. pertaining to conditions of material welfare.

circumstantial

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃəl /

adjective

1. of or dependent on circumstances

2. fully detailed

3. incidental

Other Word Forms

• circumstantially adverb
• noncircumstantial adjective
• noncircumstantially adverb
• uncircumstantial adjective
• uncircumstantially adverb
• circumstantiality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumstantial¹

1590–1600; < Latin circumstanti ( a ) circumstance + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But the prosecution says the crown's case – though circumstantial – was made up of evidence that pointed to Mr Singh "and eliminated others".

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“It is like circumstantial evidence in a Sherlock Holmes mystery,” said Slok.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

All around, she and others found circumstantial evidence of a changed man.

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But the jury of six civilians and three magistrates decided that there was enough circumstantial evidence to conclude that Jubillar was guilty of murder.

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Bill Essayli presented a list of circumstantial evidence they said linked him to the fire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coincidental 
• inconclusive 
• indirect