circumstance

UK: /ˈsɜː^rkəmstæns/

US: /ˈsɝkəmˌstæns/

US: (sûr′kəm stans′ or, esp. Brit., -stəns)

Inflections of 'circumstance' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

circumstances

v 3rd person singular

circumstancing

v pres p

circumstanced

v past

circumstanced

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cir•cum•stance /ˈsɜrkəmˌstæns/   n. 

1. Usually, circumstances. [plural] the conditions surrounding or affecting something: What were the circumstances of his death?
2. circumstances, [plural] the condition or state of a person with respect to income:
   a family in reduced circumstances.
3. [countable] an incident, occurrence, or fact:
   a fortunate circumstance.
4. events or actions that cannot be controlled or planned;
   fate:
   [uncountable] simply a victim of circumstance.
5. ceremonious display:
   [uncountable] too much pomp and circumstance at the graduation.

Idioms

6. Idioms under no circumstances, never, regardless of events or conditions:
   Under no circumstances will you be given a second chance.
7. Idioms under the circumstances, because of conditions that exist at the moment:
   Under the circumstances we can't let you register for your courses.

See -stan-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cir•cum•stance  (sûr′kəm stans′ or, esp. Brit., -stəns), n., v., -stanced, -stanc•ing. 
n. 

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

v.t. 

10. to place in particular circumstances or relations:
    The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.
11. [Obs.]
    • to furnish with details.
    • to control or guide by circumstances.

• 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, nominal suffix; see -ance
• Middle English 1175–1225

Synonyms

• 7. ritual, formality, splendor.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. under no circumstances, in no circumstances ⇒ in no case; never
6. under the circumstances ⇒ because of conditions; this being the case

verb (transitive)

1. to place in a particular condition or situation

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstāre to stand around, from circum- + stāre to stand