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

This signal serves as an alert for medical personnel, immediately drawing attention to potentially hazardous circumstances.

From Science Daily

In May this year, Banda had been reported missing in unclear circumstances.

From BBC

She said the cancellations were due to circumstances including "my car being written off and the second car breaking down" and that refunds had been paid to some parents and agreed with others.

From BBC

But polling showed that most Britons concluded that he had done what they would have in the circumstances, and Labour’s campaign proceeded to victory uninterrupted.

From New York Times

Overing explained that there is a narrow set of circumstances in which teachers can express political opinions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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