Circumstantial

Quick meaning: Circumstantial is an adjective meaning Pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials; incidental, not essential.

Meaning

Pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials; incidental, not essential.

More Meanings

1. (law) Involving evidence that relies on inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact, thus, suggesting guilt but not directly proving it.
2. Abounding with minor circumstances; in great detail; particular.
3. Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.
4. (grammar) An adjunct or circumstant.
5. (chiefly in the plural) Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance.

Example Sentences

the circumstantials of religion

It is unlikely he will be convicted; the evidence against him is circumstantial at best.

My Unkle's account is more circumstantial I must confess—but I believe mine is the true one for all that.

We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship […] and what is merely circumstantial.

Word Forms

• circumstantials

Synonyms for circumstantial

Depending on context, synonyms include accidental, coincidental, coinstantial, contingent, happenstantial, incidental.

Antonyms for circumstantial

Common opposites include certain, impossible, inevitable, necessary, essential.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include specific, incidental, adventitious, casual, one-off, occasional.

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