circumstantial

adjective

cir·​cum·​stan·​tial ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan(t)-shəl 

1

: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances

a circumstantial case

circumstantial factors

circumstantial evidence

2

: pertinent but not essential : incidental

Revolutions usually happen for both structural and circumstantial reasons.

—A. M. S. Aly

3

: marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details

a circumstantial account of the fight

4

: ceremonial

the circumstantial splendor of the coronation

circumstantiality

ˌsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

circumstantially

ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of circumstantial

• detailed
• thorough
• full

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of circumstantial in a Sentence

The evidence is purely circumstantial.

The case against him is circumstantial.

a circumstantial account of the meeting

Recent Examples on the Web

The circumstantial case against Lizzie is substantial and has long provided arguments for motive and opportunity. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026

The prosecution spent nine days making their case, laying out how the evidence (though largely circumstantial) pointed toward Lizzie. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Although the circumstantial case against Lizzie was strong, a lack of physical evidence ultimately helped win her an acquittal. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

My identity is realizing values in character rather than circumstantial performance. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see circumstance

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing circumstantial

• circumstantial evidence

Rhymes for circumstantial

• insubstantial
• unsubstantial
• substantial

Kids Definition

circumstantial

adjective

cir·​cum·​stan·​tial ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan-chəl 

1

: consisting of, relating to, or depending on circumstances

circumstantial evidence

2

: containing full details

a circumstantial account of what happened

circumstantially

-ˈstanch-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

circumstantial

adjective

cir·​cum·​stan·​tial ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan-chəl 

: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances

circumstantially adverb