{
    "term": "circumstance",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "academic": true,
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action",
            "sensetop": "under … circumstancesin … circumstances",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Police said there were no **suspicious circumstances** surrounding the boy's death."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Under **normal circumstances**, your white blood cells are able to fight infections.",
                    "contextForm": "under … circumstances"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The company reserves the right to cancel this agreement in **certain circumstances**.",
                    "contextForm": "in … circumstances"
                },
                {
                    "text": "In **exceptional circumstances**, detainees could be denied access to a lawyer."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I know I can trust her in any circumstance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule the concert."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Britain is fortunately not facing the same **set of circumstances**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The court will take into account all the **circumstances of the case**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Police are investigating the circumstances of the death of a baby boy."
                },
                {
                    "text": "changing social and political circumstances"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He died in tragic circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In the present circumstances, there must be no military intervention whatsoever."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In similar circumstances, what would you have done?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Exceptions are made in special circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ship sank in mysterious circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She never discovered the true circumstances of her birth."
                },
                {
                    "text": "His sentence was reduced because of the extenuating circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Estimates vary depending on the circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I felt that circumstances were conspiring against me."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In normal circumstances I would let you use my car, but today I need it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Only if the circumstances are exceptional will we accept late applications."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She died in rather suspicious circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The bank will investigate the circumstances surrounding the robbery."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The delays were due to circumstances beyond our control."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The plan might work better with more favourable circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We lost our position in the market due to a combination of circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "an unfortunate set of circumstances that made her life difficult"
                },
                {
                    "text": "life in changing economic circumstances"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["favourable/​favorable", "adverse", "difficult"],
                "… of circumstances": ["set"],
                "circumstance + verb": ["change", "conspire", "force"],
                "preposition": [
                    "according to circumstance",
                    "due to… circumstances",
                    "in… circumstances"
                ],
                "phrases": [
                    "by force of circumstance",
                    "circumstances beyond our control",
                    "the circumstances of somebody’s life"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "the conditions of a person’s life, especially the money they have",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We want to work towards improving the often **difficult circumstances** in which people find themselves."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The **particular circumstances** of each individual claimant must be considered."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Grants are awarded according to your personal circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "her family/domestic circumstances"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the tragic circumstances of his early life"
                },
                {
                    "text": "people facing adverse circumstances"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The amount paid will vary according to circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was a writer living in straitened circumstances."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["desperate", "modest", "reduced"],
                "circumstances + verb": ["improve", "worsen"],
                "preposition": ["in … circumstance"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "situations and events that affect and influence your life and that are not in your control",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a **victim of circumstance** *(= a person who has suffered because of a situation that they cannot control)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He had to leave the country through **force of circumstance** *(= events made it necessary)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We were simply thrown together by circumstance on the long journey."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The survivors ate plants and insects by force of circumstance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was simply a victim of circumstance."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["favourable/​favorable", "adverse", "difficult"],
                "… of circumstances": ["set"],
                "circumstance + verb": ["change", "conspire", "force"],
                "preposition": [
                    "according to circumstance",
                    "due to… circumstances",
                    "in… circumstances"
                ],
                "phrases": [
                    "by force of circumstance",
                    "circumstances beyond our control",
                    "the circumstances of somebody’s life"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used before or after a statement to show that you have thought about the conditions that affect a situation before making a decision or a statement",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Under the circumstances, it seemed better not to tell him about the accident."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She did the job very well in the circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In the circumstances, you'd better call the police."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to emphasize that something should never happen or be allowed",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Under no circumstances should you lend Paul any money."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't open the door, in any circumstances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Under no circumstances should you leave the door unlocked."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Permission and obligation"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "formal and impressive ceremony",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Funerals of famous people were conducted with great pomp and circumstance."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the state of being poorer than you were before. People say ‘living in reduced circumstances’ to avoid saying ‘poor’.",
            "examples": []
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsɜːkəmstəns//ˈsɜːkəmstɑːns//ˈsɜːkəmstæns/",
                "audio": "ci/circumstance/circumstance__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/",
                "audio": "ci/circumstance/circumstance__us_3.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French circonstance or Latin circumstantia, from circumstare ‘encircle, encompass’, from circum ‘around’ + stare ‘stand’."
}