Circumstance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)s/ cir·cum·stance

Meaning & Definition of Circumstance

Circumstance (noun)

  1. a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another, an essential or inevitable concomitant
  2. a subordinate or accessory fact or detail
  3. a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (such as a crime)

Circumstance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand

    "the condemned murderer seemed indifferent to his circumstance"

    similar: destiny, doom, fate, fortune, kismet, lot, portion
    related: accident, casualty (archaic), chance, hap, happenchance, happenstance, hazard, luck, predestination, aftereffect, aftermath, conclusion, consequence, development, effect, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

  2. something that happens

    "due to unexpected circumstances, the test will be postponed"

    similar: affair, episode, event, hap, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing
    related: coincidence, co-occurrence, fluke, freak, landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point, adventure, experience, time, happenchance, happenstance, accident, crisis, emergency, juncture, achievement, deed, exploit, feat, news, tidings

  3. the uncertain course of events

    "I was a victim of circumstance, for nothing that I could have done would have made a difference"

    similar: accident, casualty (archaic), chance, hap, hazard, luck
    related: fortuitousness, fortuity, haphazardry, randomness, uncertainty, fluke, happenchance, happenstance, destiny, doom, fate, fortune, lot, danger, peril, risk
    near: intent, intention, purpose, design, outline, plan, scheme

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Circumstance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Circumstance:

Archaic: casualty
destiny, doom, fate, fortune, kismet, lot, portion, affair, episode, event, hap, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing, accident, chance, hazard, luck

Related Words for Circumstance

happenchance, happenstance, predestination, aftereffect, aftermath, conclusion, consequence, development, effect, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, coincidence, co-occurrence, fluke, freak, landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point, adventure, experience

Near Antonyms of Circumstance

intent, intention, purpose, design, outline, plan, scheme

Origin & Etymology of Circumstance

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

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Circumstance

Words & Phrases Containing Circumstance

pomp and circumstance, force of circumstance(s)

Frequently Asked Questions about Circumstance

What does "Circumstance" mean?

"Circumstance" means a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another, an essential or inevitable concomitant. As a noun, it is defined as: a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another, an essential or inevitable concomitant. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Circumstance"?

Other words for "Circumstance" include destiny, doom, fate, fortune, kismet, lot, portion and affair. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Circumstance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Circumstance"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Circumstance". Common alternatives include destiny, doom, fate, fortune, kismet, lot, portion, affair, episode and event.

How do you use "Circumstance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Circumstance" in a sentence: "the condemned murderer seemed indifferent to his circumstance"; "due to unexpected circumstances, the test will be postponed"; "I was a victim of circumstance, for nothing that I could have done would have made a difference".

Is "Circumstance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Circumstance" is a noun.

Is "Circumstance" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Circumstance" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Circumstance"?

"Circumstance" is pronounced /ˈsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)s/ and divided into syllables as cir·cum·stance.

What is the origin of the word "Circumstance"?

"Circumstance" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstant-, circumstans, present participle of circumstare to stand around, from circum- + stare to stand stand. First known use: 13th century.