(1)情况(形)，环境(condition(time，place，etc)，fact or event connected with and usu has an effect on another event，person or course of action)[C，通常pl]：consider each～in turn 对情况逐一进行考虑;Bad weather is a～that we cannot control.坏天气是我们无法控制的情况。die in a suspicious～死得可疑;a person conditioned by～s to suspect everyone 受环境影响而对谁都怀疑的人;C～s forced us to change our plan.情况迫使我们改变计划。C～s permitting，we sail on Monday. 情况允许的话，我们周一开船。What were the～s of her leaving her job? 是什么情况使她辞掉了工作?be a victim of～(s)为环境所左右;the political and economic～s in the country 这个国家的政治经济情况;give the～s of why the car stopped说明造成停车的原因;〖同〗fact，condition，happening;

(2)经济(物质)状况(financial position)[pl]：a family (person) in reduced/poor/bad/easy/comfortable～s 一个经济状况衰落/不富裕/糟糕/富裕/优裕的家庭(人);What sort of～s is she in (What are her～s)? 她的经济状况如何?the change in his～s 他经济状况的改变;

(3)礼仪(formal，usu official display or ceremony)[U]：The king's coronation was an occasion for much pomp and～.国王的加冕礼是一次壮观的礼仪盛典。

in/under no (any) circumstances 在任何情况下都决不：In/Under no～s must a soldier leave his post.(A soldier must not in/under any～s leave his post.) 无论出现任何情况，一个战士都不得脱岗。

under/in the circumstances 在这种情况下：Under/in the～s we must be very cautious.在这种情况下我们必须非常谨慎。

【说明】under the circumstances 与 in the circumstances 语义和用法差不多，但有人认为情况影响说话人的行为时，under 较常用，但区别并非如此明显。

【辨异】circumstance与surroundings和environment 都有“环境”的意思。circumstance 指事情发生时的情况，常用复数;surroundings 指人的生活环境，只用复数，如：live in beautiful surroundings(生活在美丽的环境中);environment 也是指人的生活环境，但着眼于对人的感情、思想和道德的影响，如：grow up in a happy environment(在愉快的环境下成长)。