conditional

[kuhn-dish-uh-nl]

adjective

1. imposing, containing, subject to, or depending on a condition or conditions; not absolute; made or allowed on certain terms.

   conditional acceptance.

   Synonyms: relative, contingent, dependent

2. Grammar.,  (of a sentence, clause, mood, or word) involving or expressing a condition, as the first clause in the sentence If it rains, he won't go.

3. Logic.

   1. (of a proposition) asserting that the existence or occurrence of one thing or event depends on the existence or occurrence of another thing or event; hypothetical.

   2. (of a syllogism) containing at least one conditional proposition as a premise.

4. Mathematics.,  (of an inequality) true for only certain values of the variable, as x + 3 > 0 is only true for real numbers greater than −3.

noun

1. Grammar.

   1. (in some languages) a mood, tense, or other category used in expressing conditions, often corresponding to an English verb phrase beginning with would, as Spanish comería “he would eat.”

   2. a sentence, clause, or word expressing a condition.

conditional

/ kənˈdɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. depending on other factors; not certain

2. grammar (of a clause, conjunction, form of a verb, or whole sentence) expressing a condition on which something else is contingent: " If he comes " is a conditional clause in the sentence " If he comes I shall go "

3. 1. (of an equation or inequality) true for only certain values of the variable: x ² –1 = x + 1 is a conditional equation, only true for x = 2 or –1

   2. (of an infinite series) divergent when the absolute values of the terms are considered

4. Also: hypothetical. logic (of a proposition) consisting of two component propositions associated by the words if…then so that the proposition is false only when the antecedent is true and the consequent false. Usually written: p → q or p ⊃ q, where p is the antecedent, q the consequent, and → or ⊃ symbolizes implies

noun

1. grammar

   1. a conditional form of a verb

   2. a conditional clause or sentence

2. logic a conditional proposition

Other Word Forms

• conditionality noun
• conditionally adverb
• nonconditional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conditional¹

1350–1400; Middle English condicionel < Anglo-French, Middle French < Late Latin condiciōnālis, equivalent to condiciōn- (stem of condiciō ) condition + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

He was sentenced to a conditional discharge that required him to attend five private counseling sessions.

From Los Angeles Times

Judge Anthony Leonard KC adjourned sentencing until 22 October and granted Forde continued conditional bail.

From BBC

Partey, who denies the charges, was granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month and has since signed for Spanish side Villarreal.

From BBC

Mr Blades, who appeared under his full name Jason Blades, was granted conditional bail and is next due to appear before Shrewsbury Crown Court on 10 September.

From BBC

Partey, who denies the charges, was granted conditional bail on Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

From BBC

Related Words

• limited 
• provisional 
• restrictive 
• tentative