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situation
/sɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/
a set of circumstances or conditions
The situation in the office was tense after the layoffs.
The circumstances in the office were stressful after people were let go.
general
a set of circumstances or conditions that exist at a particular time
The situation in the hospital was chaotic after the storm.
The conditions in the hospital were disorganized and overwhelming after the storm.
We need to assess the situation before making a decision.
We need to evaluate the current circumstances before deciding what to do.
This is the most common and general meaning of 'situation'.
informal
a difficult or problematic set of circumstances
I got myself into a bad situation by borrowing money from a loan shark.
I put myself in a dangerous and problematic situation by borrowing money from a loan shark.
She found herself in an awkward situation when she realized she had been set up.
She was in an uncomfortable and embarrassing situation when she realized she had been tricked.
This meaning is often used to describe challenging or uncomfortable circumstances.
Collocations
assess the situationto evaluate the current circumstancesdifficult situationa challenging or problematic set of circumstancesemergency situationa dangerous or urgent set of circumstances
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'situation' can vary depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall tone of the sentence to understand the intended meaning.
Gold Rule
Use 'Situation' for Circumstances
'Situation' is typically used to describe a set of circumstances or conditions. Avoid using it to describe a single event or object.
Word Origin
From Middle French 'situation', from Latin 'situatio', from 'situs' (past participle of 'sinere', meaning 'to let down or settle'), meaning 'a position or location'.
Usage Notes
The word 'situation' is often used to describe a set of circumstances or conditions, whether general or specific. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and the speaker's intent.
Word Breakdown
situ
position or location
root-ation
the act or process of
suffixEnglish Dictionary