condition
condition
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "condition" is /kənˈdɪʃən/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
kən:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/: Alveolar nasal
ˈdɪ:
/d/: Voiced alveolar stop
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
ʃən:
/ʃ/: Voiceless postalveolar fricative (as in "she")
/ən/: Schwa followed by alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Condition" functions as both a noun and a verb.
Noun Forms:
Singular: condition (e.g., "The car is in excellent condition.")
Plural: conditions (e.g., "The living conditions were harsh.")
Verb Forms:
Base Form: condition (e.g., "You must condition your hair after shampooing.")
Third-person singular present: conditions (e.g., "He conditions himself for marathons.")
Present participle: conditioning (e.g., "She is conditioning the dog.")
Past tense: conditioned (e.g., "They conditioned the soil.")
Past participle: conditioned (e.g., "The air was conditioned.")
Related Forms:
Adjective: conditional (e.g., "Their offer is conditional.")
Adverb: conditionally (e.g., "He accepted conditionally.")
Noun: conditioner (e.g., "Hair conditioner.")
Noun: conditioning (e.g., "Physical conditioning is important.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun Definitions
The state of something with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.
Synonyms: State, shape, order, repair, status, health
Antonyms: Disrepair, deterioration, breakdown
A restrictive or modifying circumstance; a prerequisite.
Synonyms: Requirement, prerequisite, stipulation, provision, term, qualification, limitation
Antonyms: Unconditional, unqualified, freedom, exemption
An illness or other medical problem.
Synonyms: Ailment, disorder, malady, disease, complaint, affliction
Antonyms: Health, wellness, recovery, cure
Verb Definitions
To put something into a required or desired state.
Synonyms: Prepare, train, ready, equip, fit, accustom, adapt
Antonyms: Damage, spoil, neglect, weaken
To have a significant influence on or determine (the manner of something's existence or occurrence).
Synonyms: Determine, shape, influence, affect, control, regulate
Antonyms: Disregard, ignore, liberate, free
(In psychology) To train or accustom (an animal or person) to behave in a certain way or to accept certain circumstances.
Synonyms: Train, accustom, habituate, acculturate, indoctrinate, mold
Antonyms: Unlearn, decondition, liberate
Examples of Use
Books
"Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." (Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 1943) - This philosophical statement delves into the human condition.
"Despite its age, the rare book was in surprisingly good condition." (Common in narratives involving antiques or collectibles)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Severe weather conditions forced the cancellation of several flights at the airport." (Daily Nation)
"The report highlights the deteriorating condition of public infrastructure across the country." (The Standard)
"Living with a chronic health condition requires careful management and support." (WebMD)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In The Shallows (2016), the protagonist's survival is heavily dependent on her physical condition and ability to withstand extreme circumstances.
Television: "Contestants must condition themselves both physically and mentally for the demanding challenges ahead." (Heard on reality survival shows)
Music: A song might describe a person's emotional condition or the condition of society.
Video Games: Players often check the "condition" or "durability" of their equipment and weapons in role-playing games.
General Public Discourse
"What's the condition of your car after the accident?" (Everyday question about physical state)
"Admission to the program is conditional on passing the entrance exam." (Explaining requirements)
"You need to condition your hair regularly to keep it healthy." (Beauty and personal care advice)
"Under what conditions would you be willing to accept the offer?" (Negotiating terms)
10 Quotes Using Condition
"Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." (Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness) - This speaks to the human condition.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." (Often attributed to Thomas Jefferson) - This refers to the condition required to maintain liberty.
"I think, therefore I am." (René Descartes, Discourse on the Method) - This is a statement on the fundamental condition of existence.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." (Edmund Burke) - This describes the condition under which evil prevails.
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." (Often attributed to Charles Darwin) - Adaptability is a vital condition for survival.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." (Martin Luther King Jr.) - This contrasts different conditions of life.
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton) - This refers to the corrupting condition of power.
"My primary object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union." (Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Horace Greeley, August 22, 1862) - Lincoln refers to the "peculiar institution" of slavery, which was a deeply embedded social and economic condition.
"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling." (Margaret Lee Runbeck) - This suggests that happiness is less about a final condition and more about the journey.
"The condition of modern man is that he is in search of a soul." (Carl Jung, often paraphrased)
Etymology
The word "condition" comes from the Latin word "conditio," which meant "agreement," "stipulation," or "state." This Latin term is related to "condicere," meaning "to agree upon" or "to declare."
So, at its root, "condition" is about a state that is established or agreed upon, often implying terms or circumstances.
The first known use of "condition" in English, appearing around the late 13th century, referred to a prerequisite or stipulation within an agreement or contract. This sense of a specific term or requirement is still used today. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass the general state or health of something or someone.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Condition
In good/bad condition: Describing the state of repair or health of something or someone.
Example: "The vintage car was still in excellent condition."
On condition that: Provided that; only if a certain requirement is met.
Example: "You can borrow the book on condition that you return it by Friday."
Medical condition: An illness or health problem.
Example: "He has a pre-existing medical condition that requires medication."
Critical condition: A severe and life-threatening state, usually referring to a patient.
Example: "The accident victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition."
Weather conditions: The current state of the weather.
Example: "Driving was hazardous due to icy weather conditions."
Terms and conditions: The specific rules or requirements of an agreement or service.
Example: "Always read the terms and conditions before signing a contract."
As a prerequisite: (Using a synonym, meaning a necessary condition).
Example: "Experience is a prerequisite for this advanced course."
On the proviso that: (Using a synonym, meaning on the stipulation that).
Example: "She agreed to the deal on the proviso that her salary would be reviewed."
State of affairs: (Meaning the current situation or condition).
Example: "The current state of affairs in the economy is worrying."
Shape up or ship out: (An idiom implying that one must improve their behavior or performance, i.e., their "condition," or leave).
Example: "The manager told the new hires to shape up or ship out."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of condition from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
