CIRCUMSTANCE Definition & Meaning

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circumstance

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
Usually circumstances. the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent:
Circumstances permitting, we sail on Monday.
an unessential or secondary accompaniment of any fact or event; minor detail:
The author dwells on circumstances rather than essentials.
circumstances, the condition or state of a person with respect to income and material welfare:
a family in reduced circumstances.
an incident or occurrence:
His arrival was a fortunate circumstance.
detailed or circuitous narration; specification of particulars:
The speaker expatiated with great circumstance upon his theme.
Archaic. ceremonious accompaniment or display:
pomp and circumstance.
Synonyms: , ,

verb (used with object)

circumstanced, circumstancing.

to place in particular circumstances or relations:
The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.
Obsolete.
1. to furnish with details.
2. to control or guide by circumstances.

circumstance

/ ˈ��ɜː��ə��ə�Բ� /

noun

usually plural a condition of time, place, etc, that accompanies or influences an event or condition
an incident or occurrence, esp a chance one
accessory information or detail
formal display or ceremony (archaic except in the phrase pomp and circumstance )
under no circumstances or in no circumstances
in no case; never
under the circumstances
because of conditions; this being the case
in bad circumstances
(of a person) in a bad financial situation
in good circumstances
(of a person) in a good financial situation

verb

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

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of circumstance¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin circumstantia ( circumstant-, stem of ��ܳ��Բ�, present participle of ��ܳ�� “to stand round”), equivalent to circum- circum- + ��- stand + -nt present participle suffix + -ia noun suffix; -ance

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of circumstance¹

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

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Idioms and Phrases

under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never:
Under no circumstances should you see them again.
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 .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But "godly confidence," she continued, "has nothing to do with your external circumstance."

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So, they are urging people not to panic in such circumstances or make knee-jerk decisions.

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In some circumstances UK prices could go up, in others they could fall.

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She will have no regrets, and given the circumstances, that is the best she can hope for.

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The IRS may be willing to further extend the deadline under some circumstances, such as contractor delays, Luscombe says.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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