Conditions

kənˈdɪʃənz

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonState
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The state of something, especially with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.

kənˈdɪʃən

nounneutralBeginner
State

A state of being; a circumstance

The car was in excellent condition.

💡 Simply: Imagine your room. If it's messy, that's the condition it's in. Conditions can describe how something is, like the weather or a person's health. It's like a snapshot of what's happening!

👶 For kids: How something is. Like, the weather is a condition, or how healthy you are is a condition.

More Examples

2

The patient's medical condition has improved.

3

The building is in a poor state of repair, its condition is worsening.

How It's Used

General

"The doctor checked the patient's condition."

Legal

"The contract was signed with specific conditions attached."

Environmental

"The environmental conditions in the rainforest are humid and warm."

2

A requirement or prerequisite.

kənˈdɪʃən

nounneutralIntermediate
Requirement

A requirement or prerequisite

One condition of the job offer was relocation.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're borrowing a toy from a friend. They might have conditions like 'You must return it by tomorrow' or 'Don't get it dirty!' Conditions are rules or requirements you need to follow.

👶 For kids: Something you have to do. Like, a rule!

More Examples

2

The conditions of the contract were difficult to understand.

3

He fulfilled all the conditions of the scholarship.

How It's Used

Business

"One of the conditions for the loan was collateral."

Agreements

"The agreement had several conditions attached."

Tip:Think of a contract – it has 'conditions' you must agree to.
3

To bring a person or animal into the desired state or to be prepared for something.

kənˈdɪʃən

verbneutralAdvanced
Influence

To influence or determine

The constant criticism conditioned her to be anxious.

💡 Simply: Imagine training a puppy. You condition the puppy to sit by rewarding it. Conditioning means you train someone or something to do or react a certain way.

👶 For kids: To train something to do something. Like, if you train a dog to sit, you are conditioning it.

More Examples

2

The training program conditioned the athletes for peak performance.

3

Classical music can condition a child's brain to handle complex information.

How It's Used

Psychology

"His early experiences conditioned his fear of dogs."

Training

"The athlete conditioned their body for the marathon."

Tip:Think of how Pavlov's dogs were 'conditioned' to salivate at the bell.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

under the condition that

Provided that; if.

"You can borrow the car under the condition that you return it by 8 PM."

in good condition

Being in a state of good repair or quality.

"The antique car was surprisingly in good condition."

From Old French condicion, from Latin condicio ('agreement, stipulation, condition'), from condicere ('to agree upon'), from com- ('with') + dicere ('to say').

The word has been used in English since the late 14th century, initially with a legal context.

Memory tip

Think of the 'condition' of your car after a long trip – the state it's in!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"agreement, stipulation"

good conditionpoor conditionunder the conditionmedical conditionenvironmental conditions

Common misspellings

conditonscondishions

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written