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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin circumstantia, from circumstare 'to stand around', from circum- ( CIRCUM-) + stare 'to stand' |
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cir‧cum‧stance S1 W1
1 [countable usually plural] the conditions that affect a situation, action, event etc : 
The Soviet Union had been forced by circumstances to sign a pact with Nazi Germany.I can't imagine a circumstance in which I would be willing to steal. He was found dead in suspicious circumstances (=in a way that makes you think something illegal has happened). Unless there are extenuating circumstances (=reasons which make it reasonable to break a rule), all students must be present on the day of the exam.
The Soviet Union had been forced by circumstances to sign a pact with Nazi Germany.I can't imagine a circumstance in which I would be willing to steal. under ... circumstances Prisoners can only leave their cells under certain circumstances (=if particular conditions exist).
Prisoners can only leave their cells under certain circumstances (=if particular conditions exist).He was found dead in suspicious circumstances (=in a way that makes you think something illegal has happened).Unless there are extenuating circumstances (=reasons which make it reasonable to break a rule), all students must be present on the day of the exam.2 used to emphasize that something must definitely not happen : Under no circumstances are you to go out.
under no circumstances
also in no circumstances British EnglishUnder no circumstances are you to go out.3 used to say that a particular situation makes an action, decision etc necessary, acceptable, or true when it would not normally be : It's the best result that could be expected under the circumstances.
under/given the circumstances
also in the circumstances British EnglishIt's the best result that could be expected under the circumstances.4 [uncountable] formal the combination of facts, events etc that influence your life, and that you cannot control :
5 the conditions in which you live, especially how much money you have
circumstances
[plural] formal economic/financial/personal etc circumstances Whether or not you qualify for a loan will depend on your financial circumstances. people living in difficult social circumstances
Whether or not you qualify for a loan will depend on your financial circumstances.people living in difficult social circumstances