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.

---

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

---

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

Time and again, the female characters, conditioned to be thrown into brutal competition with one another, find relief in solidarity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

As Tiffany Lester, women’s health medical director at the lab-testing company Function Health, recently said, “We have almost been conditioned, in a way, to only accept the standard panel.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

“A ringing phone now reads as an emergency, and most of us have been conditioned to meet surprise with a small spike of alarm,” Christa Smith, a psychologist in Georgia, said.

From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026

Berridge says the ritual could produce a "dopamine hit and strong 'wanting', and also evoke faint conditioned 'liking'".

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

It feels silly, but my mother has conditioned me to need water any time I cry.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---