/ ˈsɜːkəmstəns; -stɑːns; -stæns; NAmE ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/ noun
1.
[ C , usually pl. ] the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action :
The company reserves the right to cancel this agreement in certain circumstances.
changing social and political circumstances
I know I can trust her in any circumstance.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.
The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.
She never discovered the true circumstances of her birth.
➡ note at situation
2.
circumstances [ pl. ] the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have :
Grants are awarded according to your financial circumstances .
family / domestic / personal circumstances
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) situations and events that affect and influence your life and that are not in your control :
a victim of circumstance (= a person who has suffered because of a situation that they cannot control)
He had to leave the country through force of circumstance (= events made it necessary) .
•
IDIOMS
- in / under the circumstances
- in / under no circumstances
—more at pomp , reduce
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French circonstance or Latin circumstantia , from circumstare encircle, encompass, from circum around + stare stand.