situation
siht-yoo-AY-shuhn
Situation (noun) means the set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time. Example: “The government is monitoring the economic situation closely.”
noun
1
The set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time.
"The government is monitoring the economic situation closely."
"She found herself in an awkward situation at the party."
"Stay calm and think carefully about the situation before you act."
2
The physical location of something in relation to its surroundings.
"The hotel enjoys a beautiful situation overlooking the bay."
"The cottage has a quiet situation at the edge of the woods."
"The school's sunny situation on the hillside gives pupils lovely views."
3
A job or post available to be filled.
"He found a situation as a clerk in a law firm."
"She applied for a situation as a governess in the countryside."
"The newspaper advertised a situation for a junior gardener."
How to use situation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe circumstances someone or something finds themselves in, or, more literally, where something is located.
Common pairings
difficult situation
current situation
situations vacant
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like situation.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- situations, situatia
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The government is monitoring the economic _____ closely.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin situatio, "position," from Latin situs, "a site."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for situation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for situation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “situation” mean?
The word “situation” means the set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time. In plain terms, the circumstances someone or something finds themselves in, or, more literally, where something is located.
How do you pronounce “situation”?
“Situation” is pronounced siht-yoo-AY-shuhn (/ˌsɪt.juːˈeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “situation” in a sentence?
Here is “situation” used in a sentence: “The government is monitoring the economic situation closely.”
What is another word for “situation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “situation” include set up.
What part of speech is “situation”?
“Situation” is a noun.
Where does the word “situation” come from?
The word “situation” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin situatio, "position," from Latin situs, "a site.".
Is “situation” a common word?
“Situation” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “situation” have?
“Situation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time.
What is the difference between a situation and a circumstance?
A situation is the whole picture, the overall set of conditions affecting something at a given moment. A circumstance is a single fact or detail that helps shape it. Many circumstances together make up a situation, so the situation is the sum and the circumstances are its individual parts.
What is an example of a situation?
Almost any set of conditions can be a situation: a difficult financial situation, a tense political situation, or an emergency situation at work. The word simply frames the circumstances of a moment, whether they are calm or critical, so it fits countless everyday and professional contexts.
Is a situation good or bad?
Neither by itself. Situation is a neutral word that describes circumstances without judging them, and the surrounding words supply the tone. 'A promising situation' is positive, 'a dangerous situation' is negative, and 'the current situation' is simply factual. Only the context tells you whether it is good or bad.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include situation:
