circumstance
/ˈsɝ.kəmˌstæns/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.66 in modern English
20
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An event; a fact; a particular incident, occurrence, or condition (status).
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Condition in regard to worldly estate; state of property; situation; surroundings.
Countable; Uncountable
verb
To place in a particular situation, especially with regard to money or other resources.
Example Sentences
- "The report should focus on to the current circumstances of the organisation, to help us find a way to grow in the future."
- "She went missing in somewhat spooky circumstances."
- "A victim of circumstance."
- "She performed well under/in/given the circumstances."
- "The circumstances are well known in the country where they happened."
- "The story of this adoption is, of course, the pivot round which all the circumstances of the mysterious tragedy revolved. Mrs. Yule had an only son, namely, William, to whom she was passionately attached; but, like many a fond mother, she had the desire of mapping out that son's future entirely according to her own ideas. […]"
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der. Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos)bor. Latin circus Latin circum Latin circum- Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-éh₁ti Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éh₁yeti Proto-Indo-European *sth₂éh₁yeti Proto-Italic *staējō Proto-Italic *staēō Latin stō Latin circumstō Latin circumstāns Latin circumstāntiaslbor. Old French circonstanceder. Middle English circumstaunce English circumstance From Middle English circumstaunce, from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: circumstaunce, circonstance, circumstantia
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈsɝ.kəmˌstæns/
- British English: /ˈsɜːkəmst(ə)ns/