Word
Definitions
01circumstances
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. the set of things that are happening at a particular time and place.
n. the combination of circumstances at a given moment; a general state of affairs.
“The police are monitoring the situation to make sure everyone stays safe.”
“The geopolitical situation remained volatile despite the signing of the peace treaty, as local factions continued to dispute the new borders.”
Synonyms
02a problem
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a difficult or unpleasant set of events.
n. a problematic or awkward set of circumstances requiring resolution.
“We have a bit of a situation here because the car won't start.”
“The manager found himself in a difficult situation when two of his most senior engineers resigned on the same afternoon.”
Synonyms
03location
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the place where a building or town is located.
n. the physical position of something in relation to its surroundings.
“The hotel has a beautiful situation overlooking the valley.”
“The villa's isolated situation made it the perfect retreat for writers seeking absolute silence and minimal distraction.”
04employment
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · British English
n. a job or a position of work.
n. a position of employment; a post.
“He was seeking a situation as a clerk in a local law firm.”
“After months of searching, she finally secured a situation in the civil service, providing her with much-needed financial stability.”
Usage
Often found in historical contexts or formal advertisements for domestic or clerical work.
05an outfit
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal
n. a person's whole outfit or look, especially if it is bold.
n. a specific outfit, garment, or aesthetic presentation.
“That dress and those boots are quite a situation.”
“She walked into the party wearing a neon green situation that immediately became the main topic of conversation.”
Teaching tip
This is a modern, humorous use where 'situation' replaces 'outfit' to imply the look is significant or overwhelming.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “situation” in context.
Confusables
Location is the physical spot where something sits, while situation is the set of circumstances or the state of affairs surrounding it.
RememberLocation is where it is; situation is how it is.
Real-World Examples
“He said the situation around the town had calmed down in the last two days and there were indications the airport, which was still being used by the military, might reopen on Thursday.” “People are scared, there’s a lot of violence, but they’re also entering a situation where everyone is depleted,” said Tjada” Etymology
From Middle English situacioun, situacion, from Middle French situation, from Medieval Latin situatio (“position, situation”), from situare (“to locate, place”), from Latin situs (“a site”). By surface analysis, situate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/situation
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0