condition

/kənˈdɪʃən/

Say it: kun-DISH-un

1. noun The particular state that something or someone is in, especially regarding its appearance, quality, or working order.
The car is ten years old but in excellent condition.
2. noun A rule or requirement that must be met for something else to happen; a stipulation.
One condition of the sale is that the buyer must secure financing within 30 days.
3. noun An illness or other medical problem, especially one that is long-lasting.
He has a heart condition that requires daily medication.
4. verb To train or influence a person or animal to behave in a certain way or to accept certain beliefs.
Advertising has conditioned us to associate certain brands with luxury.

📖 Seen in the wild

Good health is a necessary condition for a long and active life.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ condition in a sentence

The refugees were living in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
As a condition of her parole, she is not allowed to leave the state.
The company's financial condition has improved dramatically this quarter.
This special cream is used to condition and protect leather furniture.
The athlete was in peak physical condition before the race.
He was granted bail on the condition that he surrender his passport.
Through classical conditioning, the rats learned to press a lever for food.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

state shape stipulation provision situation circumstance status ailment

state · often suggests a more temporary or specific situation than condition.

shape · more informal and typically refers to the physical state of an object.

stipulation · a more formal term for a requirement or demand in an agreement.

provision · refers to a clause in a legal document stating a requirement.

Opposites: disrepair, damage, imperfection

🌱 Where it comes from

Condition traveled from the Latin word 'condicio', meaning 'agreement' or 'situation'. It entered English through French, initially referring to a stipulation in a contract. Over time, its meaning broadened to describe the state or circumstances that something is in, which is now its most common use.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

in excellent/poor conditiona medical conditionterms and conditionson the condition thatliving conditionsa pre-existing condition

The word 'condition' is a versatile workhorse. Its meaning depends heavily on context, shifting from physical state ('good condition') to a contractual requirement ('terms and conditions') to a health issue ('a heart condition'). When used as a verb, it almost always means to train or influence behavior, a sense popularized by psychology. The phrase 'on the condition that' is standard for introducing a requirement; 'under the condition that' is also used but is less common.

Word family: conditional, unconditional, conditioner, conditioning

💬 Quick answers

What does 'condition' mean in simple terms?

It most often means the state something is in (like a used car's condition), but it can also mean a requirement (a condition of a deal) or a long-term health problem (a heart condition).

What is the difference between 'condition' and 'state'?

'Condition' often implies a quality or overall assessment (good/bad condition), while 'state' can be more neutral and temporary (a state of confusion). In many cases, they are interchangeable.

What are 'terms and conditions'?

This is a legal phrase referring to the set of rules and requirements you must agree to in order to use a service or finalize an agreement.

Can 'condition' be a verb?

Yes. To condition someone or something means to train or influence them to behave in a specific way. It can also mean to treat something, like hair or leather, to improve its quality.

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