ENGLISH WORD FILE NO. 00794 · Core CSAT & TOEIC Vocabulary
circumstance
n.
US/ˈsɜːrkəmˌstæns/
UK/ˈsɜːkəmˌstæns/
CSAT Frequency75/100
TOEIC Frequency68/100
02
Meanings of circumstance
1noun
A fact or condition that affects the situation or an event; the conditions or surroundings at a particular time.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting was postponed to next week.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting was postponed to next week.
Under normal circumstances, students must submit their assignments on time.
Under normal circumstances, students must submit their assignments on time.
03
Derivatives of circumstance
circumstantial
based on or dependent on circumstances; (adjective)
The evidence was circumstantial, but it strongly suggested the defendant's guilt.
The evidence was circumstantial, but it strongly suggested the defendant's guilt.
under the circumstances
given the current situation or conditions (phrase)
Under the circumstances, we decided to cancel the outdoor event.
Under the circumstances, we decided to cancel the outdoor event.
circumstances beyond one's control
situations that one cannot influence or prevent (phrase)
The project failed due to circumstances beyond our control.
The project failed due to circumstances beyond our control.
04
Synonyms & Antonyms of circumstance
05
Common Phrases with circumstance
under the circumstancesunder the circumstances
unforeseen circumstancesunforeseen circumstances
difficult circumstancesdifficult circumstances
special circumstancesspecial circumstances
in these circumstancesin these circumstances
06
Practice Question: circumstance
Choose the best word for the blank
The project was delayed due to ___ that no one could have predicted.
- A circumstance
- B circumstances
- C circumstanced
- D circumstancing
The plural form 'circumstances' is correct here because it refers to multiple factors or conditions affecting the situation, which is the standard usage in English.