circumstance

[ sur-kuhm-stansor, especially British, -stuhns ]

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

verb (used with object)

, cir·cum·stanced, cir·cum·stanc·ing.

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.

circumstance

/ 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. under no circumstances or in no circumstances
   in no case; never
6. under the circumstances
   because of conditions; this being the case
7. in bad circumstances
   (of a person) in a bad financial situation
8. in good circumstances
   (of a person) in a good financial situation

verb

1. to place in a particular condition or situation
2. obsolete.
   to give in detail

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumstance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumstance¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   Under no circumstances should you see them again.

2. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing circumstance

see extenuating circumstances ; under the circumstances .

Example Sentences

“And to have those conversations, as difficult as they may be ... And that’s what it’s about. Always. Not about the pomp and circumstance and prestige, but it’s about the work.”

From Los Angeles Times

In a Friday filing to Judge Tanya Chutkan, Smith’s office asked that the court vacate future scheduled proceedings “to afford the government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”

From Salon

On Friday, Smith requested that Chutkan vacate the remaining pretrial deadlines “to afford the Government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”

From Slate

SIBO, also known as blind loop syndrome, commonly occurs “when a circumstance — such as surgery or disease — slows the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also admitted the special circumstance allegations of murder for financial gain and murder while lying in wait.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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