circumstance
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a fact or condition that is connected to an event or action.
a condition or fact that accompanies or determines the nature of an event. Often used in the plural to describe the context of an action.
Simple“The police are still investigating the circumstances of the accident.”
In context“The committee must consider the mitigating circumstances before deciding whether to expel the student for his conduct.”
UsageCommonly used in the plural form 'circumstances' when referring to a general situation.
PitfallIn these circumstances, we must wait. Under these circumstances, we must wait.While 'in' is sometimes used, 'under' is the more common and idiomatic preposition for this phrase.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the situation you are in, especially how much money you have.
the state of one's financial or social affairs; one's worldly estate.
Simple“Due to a change in her personal circumstances, she had to move to a smaller house.”
In context“He found himself in reduced circumstances after the family business collapsed during the economic downturn.”
UsageAlmost always plural in this sense.
Teacher's tipThis is a polite way to talk about someone's wealth or lack of it.
- 03 C1 Advanced
formal activities or ceremonies.
ceremonial display or formal ritual; often paired with 'pomp'.
Simple“The king was crowned with great pomp and circumstance.”
In context“The state funeral was conducted with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a former head of state.”
UsageMost commonly found in the fixed idiom 'pomp and circumstance'.
Usage circumstances around his appointment · economic circumstance · particular circumstance
“The Assist Us To Live group says people are currently being "failed by society" and "introducing assisted dying in these circumstances will put sick and disabled people's lives at risk".”
“Hanen Keskes, Greenpeace’s head of campaigns for the MENA region, said the circumstances of the spill made it “especially challenging” to respond to.”
From Middle English circumstaunce, from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.