circumstantial

UK: /ˌsɜː^rkəmˈstænʃ^əl/

US: /ˌsɝkəmˈstænʃəl/

US: (sûr′kəm stan′shəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cir•cum•stan•tial /ˌsɜrkəmˈstænʃəl/   adj. 

1. based on details that imply but do not prove:
   There is strong circumstantial evidence against your client.
2. dealing with circumstances;
   particular;
   full of descriptions.

cir•cum•stan•tial•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cir•cum•stan•tial  (sûr′kəm stan′shəl), adj. 

1. of pertaining to, or derived from circumstances:
   a circumstantial result.
2. of the nature of a circumstance;
   secondary;
   incidental:
   of circumstantial importance.
3. dealing with or giving circumstances;
   detailed;
   particular:
   a circumstantial report of a business conference.
4. pertaining to conditions of material welfare.

• Latin circumstanti(a) circumstance + -al¹
• 1590–1600

cir′cum•stan′tial•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 3. minute, thorough, exact, precise.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

circumstantial / ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃəl/ adjective

1. of or dependent on circumstances
2. fully detailed
3. incidental

ˌcircumˈstantiˈality noun

ˌcircumˈstantially adverb