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

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

"In terms of the arrears from the US, the US withdrawal is conditioned with two things," Tedros told a press conference with the UN correspondents' association ACANU.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Koch described being so conditioned by weightlessness that back on Earth she had dropped a shirt expecting it to float - and was startled when it fell.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Live Nation said it never conditioned concerts on a venue’s use of Ticketmaster.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

For Gammas, Deltas and Epsilons had been to some extent conditioned to associate corporeal mass with social superiority.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley