English

condition

gb/kəndˈɪʃən/ us/kəndˈɪʃən/
A2 English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Noun A2 entity
1

state of something or someone

The way something or someone is at a certain time, especially about health or quality.

Usage pattern: [something] is in [adjective] condition
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'condition' with 'situation'; 'condition' refers to the state or quality, not the circumstances.
Synonyms
state (A general term for how something is; slightly broader.) | shape (Informal term, often about physical quality or fitness.)
Antonyms
disrepair (Describes a bad, damaged state, especially for objects.)
Collocations
good condition |poor condition |physical condition |working condition |mint condition
Themes
daily life |health |objects |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The car is in excellent condition despite its age.
  • Her medical condition has improved after treatment.
  • The house was sold in poor condition.
Learner examples
  • The bike is in good condition.
  • He is in good physical condition.
  • My phone is in bad condition.
Noun B1 entity
2

requirement for something to happen

Something that must happen or be true before something else can happen.

Usage pattern: [something] is a condition for [something else]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'condition' with 'rule'; a condition is often specific to making something possible.
Synonyms
requirement (A more general term for something needed.) | term (Often used in agreements and contracts.)
Antonyms
freedom (Indicates no restrictions or requirements.)
Collocations
meet the conditions |terms and conditions |strict conditions
Themes
rules |law |business |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • Payment in advance is a condition for delivery.
  • You may enter the competition under certain conditions.
  • The loan was approved with strict conditions.
Learner examples
  • You can join under one condition.
  • We must meet the conditions to get the prize.
  • This job has many conditions.
Noun technical B1 entity
3

illness or medical problem

A sickness or health problem someone has.

Usage pattern: [someone] has [a/an] [adjective] condition
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'condition' with 'disease'; 'condition' can also refer to long-term states not classified as diseases.
Synonyms
disorder (More clinical; often used for mental or physical health issues.) | illness (General term for being sick.)
Antonyms
health (The absence of disease or illness.)
Collocations
chronic condition |serious condition |heart condition
Themes
health |medicine
Examples
  • She suffers from a rare skin condition.
  • The patient is in stable condition after surgery.
  • Asthma is a common respiratory condition.
Learner examples
  • He has a heart condition.
  • She has a skin condition.
  • My uncle has a serious condition.
Verb B2 action
4

train or influence behavior over time

To teach a person or animal to act in a certain way by doing something many times.

Usage pattern: to condition [someone/something] to [do something]
Synonyms
train (More general; used for teaching skills.) | program (Implies systematic teaching, sometimes mechanical.)
Antonyms
untrain (To remove learned behavior.)
Collocations
conditioned response |conditioned reflex
Themes
psychology |training |education |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The dog was conditioned to bark at strangers.
  • Children can be conditioned to follow routines.
  • Years of practice conditioned him to react calmly under pressure.
Learner examples
  • The dog is conditioned to sit when I say 'sit'.
  • She conditioned her cat to use the box.
  • I am conditioning myself to wake up early.
Verb A2 action
5

treat to improve quality or feel

To put something on hair, skin, or other material to keep it soft and healthy.

Usage pattern: to condition [hair/skin/material] with [something]
Synonyms
treat (General term for applying something for improvement.) | moisturize (Specifically adding moisture, often for skin.)
Antonyms
dry out (To remove moisture and make rough.)
Collocations
condition hair |condition leather
Themes
personal care |maintenance |daily_life |body
Examples
  • You should shampoo and then condition your hair.
  • He conditioned the leather seats to prevent cracking.
  • This lotion will condition your skin.
Learner examples
  • I wash and condition my hair every day.
  • She conditions her skin with cream.
  • He conditions his shoes with oil.
Grammar
Dictionary form
condition
IPA
GB/kəndˈɪʃən/
US/kəndˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
con - di - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (di)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: condition
  • Plural: condition, conditions
Verb
  • Base: condition
  • 3rd Person Singular: conditions
  • Present Participle: conditioning
  • Past: conditioned
Word family
Forms
conditions noun conditioning verb conditioned verb
Core family
conditional adjective B2 conditionally adverb B2
Related words
conditioner noun
Negative and opposite forms
unconditional adjective unconditionally adverb
Advanced or less common
precondition noun
Expressions

in (good/bad) condition

1
/ˈɪn ɡˈʊdbˌæd kəndˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase

being in a certain state of quality/repair

To be in a good or bad state of quality, health, or repair.

Examples
  • The bicycle is in perfect condition.
  • After the storm, the roof was in bad condition.

on (the) condition that

1
/ˈɔn ðə kəndˈɪʃən ðˈæt/
fixed phrase formal

'only if' requirement phrase

'Only if' something happens first.

Examples
  • You can borrow the car on the condition that you fill up the tank.
  • They agreed to help on the condition that their names were kept secret.

stable condition

1
/stˈeɪbəl kəndˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase technical

patient's state not changing quickly

'Stable' means the patient is not getting better or worse quickly.

Examples
  • The patient remains in stable condition after surgery.
  • She was taken to hospital and is now listed in stable condition.

terms and conditions

1
/tˈɚmz ˈænd kəndˈɪʃənz/
fixed phrase formal

rules in an agreement/contract

The rules you agree to when you make a deal or use a service.

Examples
  • Please read the terms and conditions before signing.
  • By using this website, you accept our terms and conditions.

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