circumstantial

2 definitions • 4 examples

containing information, especially about a crime, that makes you think something is true but does not completely prove it:

circumstantial evidence

The case against her was circumstantial.

relating to the circumstances in which something happened, but not to the thing itself:

The report said most of the data was circumstantial, so no conclusions could be drawn from it.

The judge reminded the jury that circumstantial evidence is information that may be important but is not proof of guilt.