The circumstances of a particular situation are the conditions which affect what happens.
Recent opinion polls show that 60 percent favor abortion under certain circumstances.
The strategy was too dangerous in the explosive circumstances of the times.
I wish we could have met under happier circumstances.
2. plural noun
The circumstances of an event are the way it happened or the causes of it.
I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of Mary Dean's murder. [+ of]
Hundreds of people had died there in terrible circumstances during and after therevolution.
Synonyms: detail, fact, event, particular More Synonyms of circumstance
3. plural noun [usually with poss]
Your circumstances are the conditions of your life, especially the amount of money that you have.
...help and support for the single mother, whatever her circumstances.
I wouldn't have expected to find you in such comfortable circumstances.
Synonyms: situation, state, means, position More Synonyms of circumstance
4. uncountable noun
Events and situations which cannot be controlled are sometimes referred to as circumstance.
There are those, you know, who, by circumstance, end up homeless.
You might say that we've been victims of circumstance.
5.
See under any circumstances/under any circumstance
6.
See under the circumstances/in the circumstances
More Synonyms of circumstance
circumstance in British English
(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
6. under the circumstances
7. in bad circumstances
8. in good circumstances
verb(transitive)
9.
to place in a particular condition or situation
10. obsolete
to give in detail
Word origin
C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstāre to stand around, from circum- + stāre to stand
circumstance in American English
(ˈsɜrkəmˌstæns; ˈsɜrkəmstəns)
noun
1.
a fact or event accompanying another, either incidentally or as an essential condition or determining factor
circumstances alter cases
2.
any happening or fact; event
3. [pl.]
conditions surrounding and affecting a person, esp. financial conditions
in comfortable circumstances
4.
chance; luck
circumstance would have it so
5.
ceremony; show
pomp and circumstance
6.
a.
accompanying or surrounding detail
b.
fullness of detail
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcircumˌstanced or ˈcircumˌstancing
7.
to place in certain circumstances
SIMILAR WORDS: ocˈcurrence
Idioms:
under no circumstances
under the circumstances
Derived forms
circumstanced (ˈcircumˌstanced)
adjective
Word origin
OFr < L circumstantia, a standing around, condition < circumstare < circum, around + stare, stand
COBUILD Collocations
circumstance
challenging circumstances
current circumstances
extreme circumstances
individual circumstances
mysterious circumstances
personal circumstances
present circumstances
specific circumstance
suspicious circumstances
the exact circumstances
tragic circumstance
unforeseen circumstances
unusual circumstance
Examples of 'circumstance' in a sentence
circumstance
They can earn more in exceptional circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That is why in certain circumstances we have endorsed building on green belt land near cities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We would expect most major insurers to pay the claim given these circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
The Sun (2017)
Under normal circumstances his vehicle would have been targeted by an armed drone.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
In difficult circumstances he is showing the courage and personality to stick with that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The review also recommended that information about childhood convictions should not be disclosed by police to prospective employers except in exceptional circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's that their circumstances are similar.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They enabled the court to fit the relief it granted precisely to the particular error of law, in the particular circumstances in which that had occurred.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The question remained whether, taking account of all the circumstances of the case, the unequal treatment was objectively justified.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Whether a crime of violence had been committed would depend on the particular circumstances of the case.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Life and circumstance has made me build up reserve.
The Sun (2013)
Police have appealed for witnesses but the circumstances surrounding the murder are a mystery.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You just have to try your best given the circumstances.
The Sun (2014)
What you learn about the people and circumstances involved more than justifies the delay.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We try very hard but we need to improve in certain circumstances.
The Sun (2010)
Nor does it take into account the sometimes difficult circumstances of her pupils.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We are carrying out inquiries to establish the circumstances of the incident.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The cost of any insurance products should reflect economic circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Because under no circumstances must this place be wrecked with insensitive alterations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Under normal circumstances he would be well advised to keep clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They say little about their application in particular circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He preferred simplicity to pomp and circumstance.
Jonathan Gregson BLOOD AGAINST THE SNOWS: The Tragic Story of Nepal's Royal Dynasty (2002)
There are also bursaries to help students with support for various situations and circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Which of them was more affected by the circumstances?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
What would you do in similar circumstances?
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
The panel decided that there were no exceptional circumstances that warranted an increase.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This geographical circumstance imposes special conditions on him.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
The family did the best we could under very difficult circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We are seeing far more cases than circumstances justify.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His life circumstances may not portray the man he is.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But cops yesterday admitted they are still in the dark about the exact circumstances of her murder.
The Sun (2011)
They might be useful for a small number of people in exceptional circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
His exact cause of death is still to be established and the circumstances surroundinghis disappearance and death are currently under investigation.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
circumstance
British English: circumstance NOUN
The circumstances of a particular situation are the conditions which affect what happens.
I wish we could have met under happier circumstances.
American English: circumstance
Brazilian Portuguese: circunstância
Chinese: 情形
European Spanish: circunstancia
French: circonstance
German: Umstand
Italian: circostanza
Japanese: 状況
Korean: 상황
European Portuguese: circunstância
Latin American Spanish: circunstancia
1 (noun)
Definition
an occurrence or condition that accompanies or influences a person or event
They say they will never, under any circumstances, be the first to use force.
Synonyms
condition
The government has to encourage people to better their condition.
situation
They looked at each other and weighed up the situation.
scenario
That apocalyptic scenario cannot be ruled out.
contingency
state of affairs
This state of affairs cannot continue for too long.
lie of the land
2 (noun)
Definition
an occurrence or condition that accompanies or influences a person or event
I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of the disappearance.
Synonyms
detail
I recall every detail of the party.
fact
The lorries always left in the dead of night when there were few witnesses around to record the fact.
event
in the wake of recent events in Europe
particular
The nurses at the admission desk asked for her particulars.
respect
He's simply wonderful in every respect.
factor
Physical activity is an important factor in maintaining fitness.
3 (noun)
I'm not sure how impressed Dad was by this change in my circumstances.
Synonyms
situation
state
You shouldn't be lifting heavy things in your state.
means
position
The ship's position was reported to the coastguard.
station
The vast majority knew their station in life and kept to it.
resources
status
promoted to the status of foreman
lifestyle
the change of lifestyle occasioned by the baby's arrival
4 (noun)
Definition
unplanned events and situations which cannot be controlled
These people are innocent victims of circumstance.
Synonyms
chance
I met him quite by chance.
the times
accident
She discovered the problem by accident.
fortune
He is certainly being smiled on by fortune.
luck
The goal owed more to luck than good planning.
fate
I see no use quarrelling with fate.
destiny
Is it Destiny or accident that brings people together?
misfortune
He had had his full share of misfortunes.
providence
I regard his death as an act of providence.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accident
Definition
an unforeseen event or one without apparent cause
She discovered the problem by accident.
Synonyms
chance,
fortune,
luck,
fate,
hazard,
coincidence,
fluke,
fortuity
in the sense of destiny
Definition
the power that predetermines the course of events
Is it Destiny or accident that brings people together?