circumstance

[sur-kuhm-stans, -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)

circumstanced, circumstancing 

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. in no case; never

6. because of conditions; this being the case

7. (of a person) in a bad financial situation

8. (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 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.

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

   Under no circumstances should you see them again.

see extenuating circumstances; under the circumstances.

Example Sentences

“I have no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Maxwell other than what is reported in the news,” Schnitt said in the statement.

From Salon

Indeed, the rushed circumstances surrounding his Arsenal loan last season have acted as a cautionary tale.

From BBC

Life is change, and either you change with circumstances or you break.

From Los Angeles Times

Helton will return to the Coliseum on Saturday to lead his new team, Georgia Southern, against his old one, USC, in a reunion that, under different circumstances, could have been uncomfortable for all involved.

From Los Angeles Times

The vote came amid a wider debate over the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel, and whether recent actions represent a genuine shift in policy thinking, as opposed to a temporary, tactical adjustment to current circumstances.

From Salon

Related Words

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