proviso

American  

[pruh-vahy-zoh] / prəˈvaɪ zoʊ /

noun

provisos, plural provisoes plural

1. a clause in a statute, contract, or the like, by which a condition is introduced.

2. a stipulation or condition.

   Synonyms:

   qualification, limitation, restriction

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proviso British  

/ prəˈvaɪzəʊ /

noun

1. a clause in a document or contract that embodies a condition or stipulation

2. a condition or stipulation

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• provisoes
  plural
• provisos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of proviso

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin prōvīsō, for prōvīsō ( quod ) it being provided (that), ablative neuter singular of Latin prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre to provide

Explanation

A proviso is something added to a document or agreement that details the terms. You might agree to buy a used car with a proviso that the fuzzy steering-wheel cover is included as part of the sale. Proviso looks a lot like the words "provide" and "provision," and it goes back to the Latin verb providēre, "foresee, provide." Proviso often implies that there are conditions to getting something, as when you agree to take your younger brother to the movies with you, provided — with the proviso — that you get popcorn and an 82-ounce soft drink. Most parents would agree, with the proviso that the drink be no more than 20 ounces. Agreed?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

proviso provisoes provisos

And of course the other selection proviso depends on whether Declan Rice has fully recovered after being pressed into service against Norway so soon after recovering from being unwell.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

There’s an interesting proviso in the Allbirds–to–NewBird AI switchover that’s gotten much less public attention.

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2026

Even with the proviso that the November inflation figure was likely pushed lower by data issues stemming from the government shutdown, the average worker’s hourly pay can buy a bit more than a year ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026

Yet with the proviso that Sainz is still adapting to his new surroundings - car and team - Albon has had a decisive advantage over the Spaniard.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2025

He'd had this crusty old grandfather he'd never met, from Germany, who'd left his unborn grandchild a trust fund with the proviso that he be named after the old man.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

The provisoes of the act virtually left the whole power of punishment still in the hands of the governor and council.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Campbell, Charles

The bill, however, was clogged with provisoes against the encroachments of prerogative.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Campbell, Charles

“From Densham’s very elaborate provisoes I think we may gather that he has a plan.”

From Mysterious Mr. Sabin by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)

Numerous heirs at law, reversioners, and creditors implored the Upper House to introduce such provisoes as might secure the innocent against all danger of being involved in the punishment of the guilty.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 3 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

We have in these few brief provisoes the sum total of everything that, in effect, constitutes the liberty of the subject.

From The Empire of the East by Montgomery, H. B. (Helen Barrett)

I said, “Well, I don’t actually do that kind of thing. But I’ll do it with two provisos: One, you have to introduce me. And two, you have to sing a song with me.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2024

Legislators have ways of reviving bills when they’re motivated to do so, and some proposals can find new life and a different form as provisos in the budget.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2024

Two novel provisos, however, combine to make the rule nearly toothless.

From Slate ● Nov. 14, 2023

Since then, they have created clauses for providing cover, including provisos that ships need to stay inside the corridor when transiting or risk invalidating their policies.

From Reuters ● Nov. 2, 2022

A formal contract, wisely yet ludicrously minute in detail, bristling with discomforting provisos for contingencies, and copied out in the usual painstaking French handwriting, has been discussed and gravely signed.

From A Midsummer Drive Through the Pyrenees by Dix, Edwin Asa