circumstance

IPA/ˈsɜːkəmstəns/
KK[sˈɚkəmstˌæns]IPA/ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/

circumstance — noun

  • circumstancesingular
  • circumstancesplural

1. the facts, conditions, or events that are present around a particular situation

1.nounB2
Definition

the facts, conditions, or events that are present around a particular situation and influence how it develops or what happens

Example

Aiko's flight was delayed, but given the circumstances, she stayed calm.

collocation: given the circumstances

The fire chief studied the circumstances that caused the old warehouse to burn.

pattern: circumstances that + verb

Common collocations
  • given the circumstances
  • under the circumstances
  • circumstances surrounding
  • due to circumstances beyond someone's control
  • change in circumstances
Synonyms
  • condition

    emphasizes a necessary state or requirement rather than the full set of surrounding events

  • situation

    focuses on the specific combination of circumstances at a given time, often implying something urgent

  • context

    refers to the larger background that gives meaning to an event, rather than the immediate facts

  • factor

    points to one single element among many, not the whole configuration

Grammar Patterns

the circumstances surrounding/of something

in/under the circumstances

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural form (circumstances). Common in fixed expressions such as 'in/under the circumstances' and 'due to circumstances beyond someone's control'. Subject of verbs like change, arise, lead to.

Common Mistakes

Please explain the circumstance of the accident.
Please explain the circumstances of the accident.
when referring to the conditions around an event, circumstance is nearly always plural.
Due to the circumstance, we cancelled the trip.
Due to the circumstances, we cancelled the trip.
use the plural form even when referring to a single set of conditions.

2. the power of events that are beyond your control and that shape your life in imp

2.noun
Definition

the power of events that are beyond your control and that shape your life in important ways — for example, losing a job through no fault of your own, or meeting a life partner by chance

Example

Leila was a victim of circumstance when the company closed without warning.

common phrase: victim of circumstance

A twist of circumstance brought Yusuf and his neighbour together as business partners.

collocation: twist of circumstance

Common collocations
  • victim of circumstance
  • twist of circumstance
  • by force of circumstance
  • a product of circumstance
Synonyms
  • fate

    more personal and destiny-driven; suggests a predetermined outcome rather than random events

  • destiny

    implies a sense of purpose or ultimate outcome, stronger than circumstance

  • fortune

    can be good or bad luck; less neutral than circumstance

  • lot

    formal or literary; describes one's position in life as assigned by fate

Antonyms
  • free will

    the ability to choose, as opposed to being controlled by outside events

  • choice

    a deliberate decision, the opposite of something imposed by chance

Grammar Patterns

victim of circumstance

twist of circumstance

by force of circumstance

Usage Note

Uncountable — do not add plural -s. Distinguished from sense 1 (SURROUNDING CONDITIONS) by its focus on life-changing events that happen by chance or fate rather than the factual conditions around a situation. Often appears in fixed phrases: 'victim of circumstance', 'twist of circumstance', 'by force of circumstance'.

Common Mistakes

He was a victim of circumstances beyond his control.' (using plural for the fate sense)
He was a victim of circumstance.
when referring to fate or destiny, this sense is uncountable and does not take -s.

3. the level of wealth or income that a person or family has, especially in relatio

3.noun
Definition

the level of wealth or income that a person or family has, especially in relation to what they can afford or how they live

Example

The bank asked about Hana's financial circumstances before approving the loan.

collocation: financial circumstances

Priya's changed circumstances meant she could no longer afford private school.

pattern: changed circumstances + financial impact

Common collocations
  • financial circumstances
  • economic circumstances
  • comfortable circumstances
  • reduced circumstances
  • family circumstances
  • changed circumstances
Synonyms
  • means

    more formal; often used in legal or official contexts (a person of means)

  • finances

    more specific to money management and budget rather than overall living conditions

  • income

    narrower, referring only to earnings rather than overall financial picture

  • economic situation

    broader, can refer to a country or region, not just an individual

Grammar Patterns

someone's circumstances

financial/economic circumstances

in comfortable/reduced circumstances

Usage Note

Always plural in form, but can refer to one person's financial condition. Frequently modified by adjectives: financial, economic, comfortable, reduced, straitened, difficult. Distinguished from sense 1 by its exclusive focus on money and wealth rather than general conditions.

Common Mistakes

She lives in a good circumstance now.
She lives in good circumstances now.
when referring to financial situation, always use the plural form.
Idioms

in/under the circumstances

idiom

used to say that a particular action or decision is reasonable or understandable given the difficult conditions that exist

The train was two hours late, but under the circumstances, we were just glad it arrived safely.

Given that she had only three days to prepare, her presentation was excellent under the circumstances.

in/under no circumstances

idiom

used to emphasize that something must never happen or be allowed, no matter what the situation is

Under no circumstances should you leave the front door unlocked when you go out.

The doctor said that under no circumstances should the patient lift anything heavy.

pomp and circumstance

idiom

formal and impressive ceremony, especially at official or royal events

The graduation ceremony was full of pomp and circumstance, with students wearing caps and gowns.

Visitors to the palace were amazed by the pomp and circumstance of the state dinner.

reduced circumstances

idiom

a polite way of saying that someone has become much poorer than they were before

After the business failed, the family was forced to live in reduced circumstances.

The novel tells the story of a wealthy woman who ends up in reduced circumstances.

Word family

  • circumstantial
    adjectiveC1
  • circumstantially
    adverbC1
  • circumstantiate
    verbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Condition, situation, context, and factor all relate to the surroundings of an event, but each has a different focus. Condition emphasises a necessary state or requirement that must exist for something else to happen ('The plane cannot take off until weather conditions improve'). Situation refers to the combination of circumstances at a specific moment, often with urgency ('The political situation in the region grew tense overnight'). Context points to the larger background — historical, social, or textual — that gives meaning to something ('You need to understand the historical context of the speech'). Factor highlights a single element that contributes to a result ('Cost was the deciding factor in their choice'). Circumstance (sense 1) is broader, covering all the facts and events that surround and influence a situation. For example: 'The judge considered all the circumstances before passing the sentence.' 'Given the circumstances, he made the best decision possible.'

condition ↗situation ↗context ↗factor ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • under no circumstances

Phrases

  • depending on the circumstances
  • due to circumstances
  • regardless of the circumstances

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Circumstance comes from Latin 'circumstantia' meaning 'surrounding conditions', which itself comes from 'circum' (around) and 'stare' (to stand). The idea is of things that 'stand around' a situation. The word entered English through Old French in the 13th century. The sense relating to fate (sense 2) developed later, around the 16th century, and the financial meaning (sense 3) emerged in the 18th century.