circumstantial

cir·cum·stan·tial

adjective \ˌsər-k^əm-ˈstan(t)-shəl\

Definition of CIRCUMSTANTIAL

1

: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances <a circumstantial case> <circumstantial factors>

2

: pertinent but not essential : incidental

3

: marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details <a circumstantial account of the fight>

4

: ceremonial

— cir·cum·stan·ti·al·i·ty \-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē\ noun

— cir·cum·stan·tial·ly \-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of CIRCUMSTANTIAL

1. The evidence is purely circumstantial.
2. The case against him is circumstantial.
3. a circumstantial account of the meeting

First Known Use of CIRCUMSTANTIAL

1600

Related to CIRCUMSTANTIAL

Synonyms

blow-by-blow, detailed, elaborate, full, minute, particular, particularized, thorough

Antonyms

compendious, summary

Related Words

enumerated, inventoried, itemized, listed, numerated; delineated, specific, specified; abundant, copious; comprehensive, encyclopedic, exhausting, exhaustive, inclusionary, inclusive, in-depth, omnibus, panoramic, thoroughgoing; accurate, correct, exact, precise; complete, entire, replete; distinct, explicit, sharp; mapped (out); descriptive, graphic (also graphical), picturesque, vivid

Near Antonyms

brief, compact, concise, crisp, pithy, short, succinct, terse; abbreviated, abridged, curtailed, cut, pruned, shortened, trimmed; ambiguous, indeterminate, nebulous, nondescript, sketchy, vague; bird's-eye, broad, general, nonspecific, overall, unspecified

Synonym Discussion of CIRCUMSTANTIAL

circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil>. particular implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular description of the scene of the crime>. detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis of the event>.