word-vault

{ "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’." }