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. Compare absolute ( def 12 ).

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. Alsohypothetical 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

Derived Forms

• conˌditionˈality, noun
• conˈditionally, adverb

Other Words From

• con·dition·ali·ty noun
• con·dition·al·ly adverb
• noncon·dition·al 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

The act also offered the conditional amnesty to people suspected of Troubles-related crimes in exchange for co-operating with a new information recovery body.

From BBC

Speaking in the House of Commons, Hilary Benn said he was laying a "remedial order" which would formally remove the conditional immunity clause from the Act and the ban on new civil actions.

From BBC

She received a conditional discharge six months before becoming an MP in the 2015 general election.

From BBC

The BBC has asked the Department for Transport to clarify the offence she pleaded guilty to and whether the discharge was conditional, or unconditional.

From BBC

It already had full accreditation, but now has only conditional accreditation.

From BBC

Related Words

• limited
• provisional
• restrictive
• tentative