unconditional
Americanadjective
-
not limited by conditions; absolute.
an unconditional promise.
- Synonyms:
- categorical, unqualified, unreserved
-
Mathematics. absolute.
adjective
-
without conditions or limitations; total
unconditional surrender
-
maths (of an equality) true for all values of the variable
(x+1)>x is an unconditional equality
Other Word Forms
- unconditionality noun
- unconditionally adverb
- unconditionalness noun
Etymology
Origin of unconditional
First recorded in 1660–70; un- 1 + conditional
Explanation
Whether it’s love, support, or surrender, if something’s unconditional it’s absolute and not subject to any special terms or conditions: it’ll happen no matter what else happens. Breaking apart the word unconditional can help you remember its meaning. Combine the prefix un-, meaning “not,” with conditional, meaning "dependent on something else," and you get an adjective for something that holds true without any conditions attached. The unconditional forgiveness you promised your brother means you forgive him no matter what. You’re not attaching any requirements — like you’ll only forgive him if he’s nicer to you or pays you money. You just forgive him — it's absolute.
Vocabulary lists containing unconditional
Tuesdays with Morrie
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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Code Talker
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Within days he demanded the regime's "unconditional surrender", something that hasn't happened.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
The core question is simple: What does unconditional surrender get you?
From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026
It has also been used when a player retires at a young age without getting an unconditional release, but then returns to playing.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026
In Amazon’s annual report, the company said its unconditional purchase obligations—or non-cancelable funding commitments—are expected to total $84.8 billion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
His dad is sitting silent while his mom sings about unconditional love.
From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
