circumstance
n.-
1 surrounding facts (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea 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.
ExampleThe police are still investigating the circumstances of the accident.
ExampleThe 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.
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2 life situation (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalthe situation you are in, especially how much money you have.
the state of one's financial or social affairs; one's worldly estate.
ExampleDue to a change in her personal circumstances, she had to move to a smaller house.
ExampleHe 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.
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3 ceremony (n.) C1 Advanced Literary Formalformal activities or ceremonies.
ceremonial display or formal ritual; often paired with 'pomp'.
ExampleThe king was crowned with great pomp and circumstance.
ExampleThe 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'.
From Middle English circumstaunce, from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia.