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

Derived Forms

• ˌcircumˈstantially, adverb
• ˌcircumˈstantiˈality, noun

Other Words From

• circum·stantial·ly adverb
• noncir·cum·stantial adjective
• noncir·cum·stantial·ly adverb
• uncir·cum·stantial adjective
• uncir·cum·stantial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumstantial¹

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

Example Sentences

Ibarra’s lawyers had argued that evidence linking him to Ms Riley’s death was “circumstantial”.

From BBC

Andy Stahl, executive director of environmental group Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, said the study bolsters fears of heavy metal concentrations in Phos-Chek that had until recently been supported by circumstantial evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

But for the most part, viewers have been left to draw conclusions about contestants’ political leanings based on circumstantial evidence such as their social media history or predilection for star-spangled clothing.

From Los Angeles Times

"So after a year and a half of this and taking in all this information, this is the person it's led us to, but it's circumstantial evidence."

From Salon

It was a shock to the system to learn that maybe Swift's politics are a little more murky or circumstantial than what her fans thought.

From Salon

Related Words

• coincidental
• inconclusive
• indirect