circumstance

noun

cir·​cum·​stance ˈsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)s 

-stən(t)s

1

a

: a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant

the weather is a circumstance to be taken into consideration

b

: a subordinate or accessory (see accessory entry 2 sense 2) fact or detail

cost is a minor circumstance in this case

c

: a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (such as a crime)

the circumstance of the missing weapon told against him

the circumstances suggest murder

2

a

: the sum of essential and environmental factors (as of an event or situation)

constant and rapid change in economic circumstance

—G. M. Trevelyan

b

: state of affairs : eventuality

open rebellion was a rare circumstance

—often used in plural

a victim of circumstances

c

circumstances plural : situation with regard to wealth

he was in easy circumstances

rose from difficult circumstances

3

: attendant formalities and ritualistic display especially as contrasted with essential procedure

pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war

—William Shakespeare

4

: an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events)

considering each circumstance in turn

Synonyms

• destiny
• fate

Choose the Right Synonym for circumstance

occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place.

occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

Examples of circumstance in a Sentence

I can't imagine a circumstance in which I would do that.

The circumstances of his death are suspicious.

She says that her client is a victim of circumstance and should not be blamed for the accident.

He was a victim of circumstances.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022, life circumstances prompted her and her husband to make things official quickly. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

There was my mother’s paternal grandfather, owner of 400 acres in South Carolina’s Low Country, murdered under sketchy circumstances, 397 acres of his property stolen from his widow, with no justice whatsoever. —Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

According to Bernstein, the decision to close Fido was driven by a looming lease expiration, personal life circumstances and the rapid evolution of the city. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025

But Belichick’s history of loyalty — and the circumstances of how he was hired in the first place — have created unique tension in Chapel Hill. —The Athletic Colleges Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstant-, circumstans, present participle of circumstare to stand around, from circum- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing circumstance

• force of circumstance(s)
• pomp and circumstance

Rhymes for circumstance

• exceedance
• happenstance
• refinance
• advance
• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance

Kids Definition

circumstance

noun

cir·​cum·​stance ˈsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)s 

1

a

: a fact or event that must be considered along with another fact or event

b

: a fact or detail in a chain of events

2

plural : conditions at a certain time or place

impossible under the circumstances

3

a

: the way things happen to be : chance

—often used in plural

a victim of circumstances

b

plural : financial condition

in easy circumstances

Legal Definition

circumstance

noun

cir·​cum·​stance

1

a

: a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another

must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 9(b)

b

: a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event

a statement…offered to exculpate the accused is not admissible unless corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the trustworthiness of the statement

—State v. Lopez, 764 P.2d 1111 (1988)

2

plural : situation with regard to wealth

the circumstances of the parties before the divorce