proviso

American  

[pruh-vahy-zoh] / prəˈvaɪ zoʊ /

noun

provisos, plural provisoes plural

1. a clause in a statute, contract, or the like, by which a condition is introduced.

2. a stipulation or condition.

   Synonyms:

   qualification, limitation, restriction

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proviso British  

/ prəˈvaɪzəʊ /

noun

1. a clause in a document or contract that embodies a condition or stipulation

2. a condition or stipulation

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• provisoes
  plural
• provisos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of proviso

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin prōvīsō, for prōvīsō ( quod ) it being provided (that), ablative neuter singular of Latin prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre to provide

Explanation

A proviso is something added to a document or agreement that details the terms. You might agree to buy a used car with a proviso that the fuzzy steering-wheel cover is included as part of the sale. Proviso looks a lot like the words "provide" and "provision," and it goes back to the Latin verb providēre, "foresee, provide." Proviso often implies that there are conditions to getting something, as when you agree to take your younger brother to the movies with you, provided — with the proviso — that you get popcorn and an 82-ounce soft drink. Most parents would agree, with the proviso that the drink be no more than 20 ounces. Agreed?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

proviso provisoes provisos

There’s an interesting proviso in the Allbirds–to–NewBird AI switchover that’s gotten much less public attention.

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2026

Young coaches are often appointed on the proviso that their role is to prepare the team to win games.

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026

Over a decade ago, Britain’s environmental regulator approved a new coastal nuclear power station on the proviso its cooling system wouldn’t suck in millions of fish from the Bristol Channel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

The California Coastal Commission approved a permit for the event on May 9 with a major proviso.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2025

The young man had a kind of poise about him, though, that looked as though it might hold up indefinitely, with the very small proviso that he keep at least one hand in one pocket.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

The bill, however, was clogged with provisoes against the encroachments of prerogative.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Campbell, Charles

Provided!—Oh!" cried Vivian, laughing, "spare your musty provisoes, my dear philosopher!

From Tales and Novels — Volume 05 by Edgeworth, Maria

Numerous heirs at law, reversioners, and creditors implored the Upper House to introduce such provisoes as might secure the innocent against all danger of being involved in the punishment of the guilty.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 3 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Why was the crown entailed by so many provisoes, reserves, and limitations?

From A Seasonable Warning and Caution against the Insinuations of Papists and Jacobites in favour of the Pretender Being a Letter from an Englishman at the Court of Hanover by Defoe, Daniel

We have in these few brief provisoes the sum total of everything that, in effect, constitutes the liberty of the subject.

From The Empire of the East by Montgomery, H. B. (Helen Barrett)

I said, “Well, I don’t actually do that kind of thing. But I’ll do it with two provisos: One, you have to introduce me. And two, you have to sing a song with me.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2024

Two novel provisos, however, combine to make the rule nearly toothless.

From Slate ● Nov. 14, 2023

Since then, they have created clauses for providing cover, including provisos that ships need to stay inside the corridor when transiting or risk invalidating their policies.

From Reuters ● Nov. 2, 2022

While this is undoubtedly cause for concern, there are some provisos.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2022

What touches the Art may require certain cautions and provisos.

From A Letter Book Selected with an Introduction on the History and Art of Letter-Writing by Saintsbury, George