different between situational vs circumstantial

English

Etymology

situation +? -al

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s?tju??e???n?l/, /s?t?u?(w)e???n?l/
• Hyphenation: sit?u?a?tion?al

Adjective

situational (comparative more situational, superlative most situational)

1. Of or pertaining to a particular situation.

Translations

Anagrams

• natalitious

English

Etymology

From Latin circumstantia + English -al, equivalent to circumstance +? -ial.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /s??k?m?stan??l/

Adjective

circumstantial (comparative more circumstantial, superlative most circumstantial)

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

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:circumstantial

2. Abounding with minor circumstances; in great detail; particular.
   • 1806, James Wilkinson, Letter to Thomas Jefferson (October 21, 1806) (part of Burr conspiracy)

     For although my information appears too direct and circumstantial to be fictitious, yet the magnitude of the enterprise, the desperation of the plan, and the stupendous consequences with which it seems pregnant, stagger my belief […]

   • 2007, John Burrow, A History of Histories, Penguin 2009, p. 326:

     Second-hand but clearly from the best possible source - the King himself - [the story] is highly circumstantial, taking twenty-two pages of text.

3. Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.
4. (law) Suggesting guilt, but not proving it conclusively.

Translations

Noun

circumstantial (plural circumstantials)

1. (chiefly in the plural) Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance.

   Antonym: essential

Translations