Conditional

Subject to one or more conditions; dependent on something else being true or fulfilled.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine you receive a scholarship offer that is conditional on maintaining a 3.5 GPA. If you drop below it, the offer is withdrawn; until you meet the condition, you have no guaranteed sponsorship.

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Sounds Like

kun-DIH-shuh-nuhl

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Looks Like

Looks like 'condition' plus the suffix -al; both share the same root.

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Remember This

In logic, a 'conditional' is an if-then statement. The term comes from Latin conditio, meaning a stipulation or arrangement.

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Other Forms

conditionallyadverb

conditionalsnoun

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Connect With

contingent, dependent, proviso, stipulation, prerequisite

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Note

Avoid confusing 'conditional' with 'unconditional.' Also note that phrases like 'conditional on' or 'conditional upon' are both correct; American English often prefers 'conditional on.'

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Study Deeper

Examples

Admission to the program is conditional on submitting all required documents.
The contract includes a conditional clause that allows either party to withdraw if deadlines are not met.

Synonyms

contingentdependentprovisionalqualifyingtentative

Antonyms

unconditionalabsoluteunrestricted

Etymology

From Late Latin conditionalis, from condicio 'a putting together, stipulation' from Latin condere 'to put together, found, establish' + the suffix -al.

Mnemonic

CONDITIONAL: CONDITIONS DICTATE ALLOWANCE. Remember that a conditional situation is only allowed when the conditions are met.

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Tenacity

noun

The quality of being persistent and determined; the ability to persevere and hold fast to a goal despite obstacles.

Entrench

verb

To establish or fortify a position, belief, or habit so that it becomes difficult to change; to surround or secure a position by digging trenches.

Stimulate

verb

To rouse or spur into action; to increase activity, interest, or development.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Dependent

adjective

Adjective: depending on something else for support, existence, or outcome; not independent. Noun: a dependent is a person who relies on another for support.