condition
condition — noun
1. a measure of how good or bad the appearance or quality of a thing, a person, or
a measure of how good or bad the appearance or quality of a thing, a person, or their surroundings seems.
The old sofa was in such poor condition that we had to throw it away.
in such poor condition
Buyers were impressed by the perfect condition of the vintage car.
perfect condition of
Baraka checked the condition of every tool before starting the repair work.
The building's condition had worsened after years of heavy rain and neglect.
Items that are not in good condition cannot be returned to the store for a refund.
文法句型
be in + adj + condition
in (a) ... condition
常見錯誤
2. the physical features of a place, such as weather, lighting, or safety level, th
the physical features of a place, such as weather, lighting, or safety level, that affect how people carry out their daily lives.
The rescue team worked in freezing conditions to save the trapped climbers.
in freezing conditions
Imran refused to work in a factory where safety conditions were so dangerous.
safety conditions
Drivers were warned that road conditions would be slippery after the snowstorm.
Living conditions in the refugee camp improved after the aid agency arrived with supplies.
The plants grew well under the warm and humid conditions of the greenhouse.
- circumstances
broader, includes non-physical factors like financial or social situation
- environment
more formal, often used for natural or social surroundings
文法句型
under/in ... conditions
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form ('conditions') when referring to surroundings or circumstances. The singular form may appear in fixed phrases like 'under any condition'.
常見錯誤
3. a medical problem affecting someone's health, especially one that lasts many yea
a medical problem affecting someone's health, especially one that lasts many years and may never fully go away.
Meera's doctor told her that her heart condition would require regular check-ups.
heart condition
Children with a skin condition called eczema often need special lotions to stay comfortable.
skin condition called
The hospital has a specialist ward for patients with chronic breathing conditions.
Obi was born with a rare medical condition that affects only one person in a million.
Stress can make some pre-existing conditions worse, according to Charlotte's doctor.
文法句型
have a ... condition
suffer from a ... condition
a condition affecting [body part]
用法筆記
Unlike the general word 'disease', 'condition' is often used for long-term health issues that are managed rather than cured. It can sound gentler: 'a heart condition' vs. 'heart disease'.
常見錯誤
4. the degree to which someone is healthy, strong, and able to do physical activity
the degree to which someone is healthy, strong, and able to do physical activity without getting tired easily.
After months of training, Yuna was in excellent condition for the marathon.
in excellent condition
Théo was so out of condition after the winter break that he got tired just climbing stairs.
out of condition
The coach said the team needed to improve their physical condition before the championship match.
Gabriela stays in good condition by swimming every morning before work.
A doctor examined the runners and declared them all in satisfactory condition for the race.
文法句型
in/out of condition
in good/poor physical condition
用法筆記
Frequently used with the prepositions 'in' or 'out of' followed by an adjective: 'in good condition' means fit, 'out of condition' means unfit. This sense is NOT used with 'a/an'.
常見錯誤
5. something that must be agreed to, accepted, or in place before another thing can
something that must be agreed to, accepted, or in place before another thing can happen or be done.
One of the conditions of the loan was that Ayesha had to pay it back within three years.
conditions of the loan
Cole accepted the job offer on the condition that the company would pay for his travel.
on the condition that
Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign the rental agreement.
The charity released the funds on condition that the school build a new library.
No conditions were attached to the donation, so the hospital could use the money freely.
- requirement
stronger sense of necessity; a 'condition' may be negotiable, but a 'requirement' is often mandatory
- term
usually paired with 'conditions'; 'term' is one specific point in an agreement
- stipulation
more formal and legal; used in official contracts
文法句型
condition(s) of/for [noun]
on condition that + clause
terms and conditions
用法筆記
Commonly used in the plural ('conditions') when referring to multiple rules in a contract or agreement. The phrase 'terms and conditions' is a fixed legal pair used on websites, forms, and contracts.
常見錯誤
6. used for stating that one thing will only happen or be true if another thing is
used for stating that one thing will only happen or be true if another thing is agreed to or arranged first.
Kenji said he would help us move house on condition that we buy him dinner afterwards.
on condition that
The government agreed to fund the project on condition that it created local jobs.
Padma let her son borrow the car on one condition: he must be home before midnight.
The scientist shared her research data on condition that her name appeared in the paper.
You can use the meeting room on condition that you clean it up before you leave.
- provided that
synonymous but slightly more formal; both are interchangeable in most contexts
- as long as
less formal, common in everyday conversation
文法句型
on condition that + clause
on one condition
用法筆記
This is not a noun sense in the ordinary way — 'on condition that' functions as a conjunction introducing a conditional clause. The clause after 'that' can use either the present simple or 'should', and sometimes the subjunctive.
condition — verb
1. to train someone or an animal over time so that they behave or react in a partic
to train someone or an animal over time so that they behave or react in a particular way automatically, without thinking.
The dogs were conditioned to sit quietly whenever they heard a bell ring.
conditioned to + infinitive
Lakan's parents had conditioned him to say please and thank you from a very young age.
Years of working in a noisy factory had conditioned Wei to sleep through any sound.
Pavlov famously conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell through repeated feeding.
Society conditions children to follow certain rules without always explaining the reasons behind them.
文法句型
condition + person/animal + to-infinitive
be conditioned to + verb
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice ('be conditioned to'). In psychology, this refers specifically to classical or operant conditioning, but in everyday English, it simply means shaping habits through repetition.
常見錯誤
2. to put a special liquid or cream on your hair or skin after washing, so that it
to put a special liquid or cream on your hair or skin after washing, so that it becomes softer, smoother, or healthier.
After shampooing, Rin always conditions her hair with a coconut oil treatment.
conditions her hair
The hairdresser recommended that Dahlia condition her dry hair at least twice a week.
Camille bought a new product that both cleanses and conditions the skin in one step.
Salma's hairdresser told her to condition the ends of her hair more often to prevent splitting.
If you condition your hair regularly, it will become much easier to brush and style.
- moisturize
specifically about adding moisture, while 'condition' is about improving texture and manageability
文法句型
condition + noun (hair, skin)
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the context of hair and skincare products. The noun form 'conditioner' (e.g., 'hair conditioner', 'fabric conditioner') is far more common in everyday English than the verb.
3. to directly control, influence, or determine the way something develops, changes
to directly control, influence, or determine the way something develops, changes, or happens.
A child's early experiences often condition the way they view the world as adults.
condition the way
The amount of sunlight conditions how quickly the fruit will grow and ripen on the tree.
Market demand conditions the price that farmers can get for their crops each season.
Cultural norms condition what people consider polite or rude in different countries.
Defne's upbringing conditioned her attitude toward money and saving for the future.
文法句型
condition + noun
be conditioned by + noun
用法筆記
This sense is more abstract than verb/1 — it is about factors shaping outcomes rather than training living beings. The subject is usually a force, factor, or environment, not a person actively training someone.
4. to make something ready for a specific purpose, or to keep it in a proper state
to make something ready for a specific purpose, or to keep it in a proper state so it works well.
The technician conditioned the new battery by charging and discharging it several times.
conditioned the new battery
A piano must be conditioned to the room's humidity level before it can be tuned properly.
Elise conditioned the leather saddle with oil so it would stay soft and last for years.
The swimming pool water must be conditioned with chemicals to keep it safe for swimmers.
Before painting, Anya conditioned the wooden surface with a special primer to protect it.
文法句型
condition + noun + for + noun
be conditioned for + noun
用法筆記
Common in technical or maintenance contexts (electronics, instruments, materials). When used for living beings, it overlaps with verb/1 but focuses on physical readiness rather than mental training.
5. to state in a formal or legal agreement that something must happen or be done be
to state in a formal or legal agreement that something must happen or be done before another thing can take effect.
The contract conditioned the payment on Gabriel completing the work by December.
conditioned ... on + noun/-ing
The will conditioned that Quan would inherit the house only if he lived in it for five years.
conditioned that
The university's offer was conditioned upon the student achieving a grade of at least eighty percent.
Their agreement conditioned the sale of the business on the buyer keeping all current staff.
International aid was conditioned on the government allowing independent observers into the region.
文法句型
condition + that-clause
be conditioned on/upon + noun
用法筆記
Rare in everyday speech. Usually appears in legal documents, formal contracts, or official conditions. The passive form ('be conditioned on/upon') is more common than the active form of this sense.