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
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.
Unconditional love is only healthy and appropriate in the context of a parent-child relationship, and that’s not the situation here.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
"To anyone afraid to love, Unconditional love is the greatest of gifts," Lara wrote.
From Fox News • Jan. 28, 2022
She recalls the anger that built as she approached the end of An Unconditional Freedom and realized that, as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t actually kill off Confederate leader Jefferson Davis.
From Slate • Sep. 25, 2020
Unconditional offers give universities more certainty over their recruitment numbers and finances - but there are concerns this is achieved at the cost of "pressure-selling" tactics on students.
From BBC • Jul. 22, 2019
Unconditional refusal to Judy’s invitations was a reflex so deeply ingrained that it was hard to force myself to say yes.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
