conditional

[kuhn-dish-uh-nl]

adjective

1. imposing, containing, subject to, or depending on a condition or conditions; not absolute; made or allowed on certain terms.

   conditional acceptance.

   Synonyms: relative, contingent, dependent

2. Grammar.,  (of a sentence, clause, mood, or word) involving or expressing a condition, as the first clause in the sentence If it rains, he won't go.

3. Logic.

   1. (of a proposition) asserting that the existence or occurrence of one thing or event depends on the existence or occurrence of another thing or event; hypothetical.

   2. (of a syllogism) containing at least one conditional proposition as a premise.

4. Mathematics.,  (of an inequality) true for only certain values of the variable, as x + 3 > 0 is only true for real numbers greater than −3.

noun

1. Grammar.

   1. (in some languages) a mood, tense, or other category used in expressing conditions, often corresponding to an English verb phrase beginning with would, as Spanish comería “he would eat.”

   2. a sentence, clause, or word expressing a condition.

conditional

/ kənˈdɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. depending on other factors; not certain

2. grammar (of a clause, conjunction, form of a verb, or whole sentence) expressing a condition on which something else is contingent: " If he comes " is a conditional clause in the sentence " If he comes I shall go "

3. 1. (of an equation or inequality) true for only certain values of the variable: x ² –1 = x + 1 is a conditional equation, only true for x = 2 or –1

   2. (of an infinite series) divergent when the absolute values of the terms are considered

4. Also: hypothetical. logic (of a proposition) consisting of two component propositions associated by the words if…then so that the proposition is false only when the antecedent is true and the consequent false. Usually written: p → q or p ⊃ q, where p is the antecedent, q the consequent, and → or ⊃ symbolizes implies

noun

1. grammar

   1. a conditional form of a verb

   2. a conditional clause or sentence

2. logic a conditional proposition

Other Word Forms

• conditionality noun
• conditionally adverb
• nonconditional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conditional¹

1350–1400; Middle English condicionel < Anglo-French, Middle French < Late Latin condiciōnālis, equivalent to condiciōn- (stem of condiciō ) condition + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

Giorgia Meloni has made recognition by her government conditional on the release of all Israeli hostages and the exclusion of Hamas from government.

Read more on BBC

McOsker said he also believes the project needs a conditional use permit, which would require public hearings and a more formalized process.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nonwhite people can aspire to that identity, but their acceptance is conditional on aligning with Whiteness and its norms.

Read more on Salon

On the morality of letting murderers out after a fraction of their sentence, Mr Pikalo stressed they weren't pardons, but conditional releases.

Read more on BBC

Students 13 and older have conditional access that requires completion of mandatory training and “Responsible Use Policy” signatures from students and parents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• limited 
• provisional 
• restrictive 
• tentative