conditioned

American  

[kuhn-dish-uhnd] / kənˈdɪʃ ənd /

adjective

1. existing under or subject to conditions.

2. characterized by a predictable or consistent pattern of behavior or thought as a result of having been subjected to certain circumstances or conditions.

3. Psychology. proceeding from or dependent on a conditioning of the individual; learned; acquired.

   conditioned behavior patterns.

4. made suitable for a given purpose.

   Synonyms:

   adjusted

5. accustomed; inured.

   Synonyms:

   used to

6. air-conditioned.

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conditioned British  

/ kənˈdɪʃənd /

adjective

1. psychol of or denoting a response that has been learned Compare unconditioned

2. (foll by to) accustomed; inured; prepared by training

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Other Word Forms

• nonconditioned
  adjective
• self-conditioned
  adjective
• semiconditioned
  adjective
• well-conditioned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of conditioned

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at condition, -ed ²

Explanation

If you're conditioned to expect something, it means you've learned over time or been taught to anticipate it. Many people become conditioned to eat something sweet after dinner. Most adults, through the habit of brushing their teeth every morning and night for their whole lives, become conditioned to brush regularly. In other words, they've been taught or trained to do it. Another way to be conditioned is to be in great physical shape: "I've never felt so conditioned as when I took that tap dancing class!" The adjective conditioned comes from the Old French condicion, "stipulation, state, or behavior."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

conditioned

"We hide how we are because we are conditioned by society to blend in."

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Competition and Markets Authority conditioned its clearance of the merger of equals on the sale of Shutterstock’s editorial business—a condition Getty said it wasn’t required to accept under the merger agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

“No. I’ve been conditioned, but it’s taken years,” he says.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Universe conditioned us to worship such false idols, portraying wealthy, aristocratic heroes as our greatest defense against alien threats and vigilantes working beyond the reach of the law as the true keepers of justice.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

Her children were presumed to have intellectual advantages both inherited and conditioned.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck