[ sur-kuhm-stans or, especially British, -stuhns ]
/ ˈsɜr kəmˌstæns or, especially British, -stəns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumstance ON THESAURUS.COM
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.
verb (used with object),cir·cum·stanced,cir·cum·stanc·ing.
to place in particular circumstances or relations: The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.
Obsolete.
to furnish with details.
to control or guide by circumstances.
Idioms for circumstance
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: Under the circumstances, there is little hope for an early settlement.Also in the circumstances.
Origin of circumstance
1175–1225; Middle English <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; see -ance
We don’t know if this research on the 1960s uprisings can be perfectly generalized to protests today, when the circumstances, political climate, and population are different.
Violent protests against police brutality in the ’60s and ’90s changed public opinion|German Lopez|August 28, 2020|Vox
Emergency use authorization gives physicians permission to use an experimental therapy in certain circumstances.
COVID-19 plasma treatments may be safe, but we don’t know if they work|Tina Hesman Saey|August 25, 2020|Science News
This time, China and India are expected to see dramatic contractions in their economies, placing a young consumerist generation in the circumstances their ancestors once faced and setting the stage for a potential revival of the savings culture.
Could the Recession Revive the Savings Gene in China and India?|Pallabi Munsi|August 16, 2020|Ozy
In most circumstances, these two would be shoo-ins for their national teams.
Guess Who’s Cheering for Brexit? South African Cricket|Charu Kasturi|August 12, 2020|Ozy
They bring valuable socialization and fitness opportunities to kids whose mental and physical health might have suffered otherwise, not to mention a safe space for children living in dangerous circumstances.
Is School Out Forever?|Daniel Malloy|August 9, 2020|Ozy
Certainly my instinct is to identify with the police, no matter the circumstance.
A Veteran’s View: NYC Cold War Between Cops and City Hall|Matt Gallagher|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The union does not under any circumstance condone violence of any kind, including against police officers.
The High-Priced Union Rep Charged With Attacking a Cop|Jacob Siegel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If a product is beautiful, why do you need all that pomp and circumstance?
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, there was a high school band striking up the Elgar march “Pomp and Circumstance.”
The Sexy Dream of the 747|Clive Irving|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Paul Newman—who now, finally, is none of these people—is clearly at home with his current circumstance: as no one but himself.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This circumstance possessed no connection with John Grimbal.
Children of the Mist|Eden Phillpotts
In him, under every circumstance, we have every reason to be glad and to rejoice that we have him on our side.
Journal of a Residence at Bagdad|Anthony Groves
A man whose friendship is not a thing of condition nor circumstance.
Garrison's Finish|W. B. M. Ferguson
I knew there was something concerning the Castle of Peronne which dwelt on my mind, though I could not recall the circumstance.
Quentin Durward|Sir Walter Scott
If matters went in a certain way Edinburgh might regain ancient pomp and circumstance.
Foes|Mary Johnston
British Dictionary definitions for circumstance
circumstance
/ (ˈsɜːkəmstəns) /
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 circumstancesorin no circumstancesin no case; never
under the circumstancesbecause 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(tr)
to place in a particular condition or situation
obsoleteto give in detail
Word Origin for circumstance
C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstāre to stand around, from circum- + stāre to stand