conditioner

IPA/kənˈdɪʃənə(r)/
KK[kəndˈɪʃənɚ]IPA/kənˈdɪʃənər/

conditioner — noun

  • conditionersingular
  • conditionersplural

1. A thick creamy product you apply to freshly washed hair after shampooing and rin

1.nounB1
Definition

A thick creamy product you apply to freshly washed hair after shampooing and rinse off after a short wait, leaving hair softer, shinier, and easier to comb through.

Example

After shampooing, Aoi worked a small amount of conditioner through her wet hair and rinsed it out.

work + conditioner + through hair — applying to wet hair after shampoo

Arjun bought a new conditioner that smells like coconut and keeps his curls soft.

conditioner + smells like / keeps hair soft — describing product qualities

Common collocations
  • apply conditioner
  • rinse out conditioner
  • leave-in conditioner
  • conditioner for dry / coloured / damaged hair
  • a good conditioner
Synonyms
  • hair treatment

    A deeper nourishing product, often left on longer than regular conditioner.

  • hair mask

    A more intensive conditioning product, used weekly rather than daily.

  • leave-in conditioner

    A lighter product not rinsed out; used between washes for extra moisture.

Antonyms
  • shampoo

    Used to clean hair, while conditioner is used after cleaning to soften.

Grammar Patterns

conditioner + is

a + adjective + conditioner

conditioner + for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. The countable form (e.g. 'a good conditioner', 'two conditioners') is used when referring to specific brands, types, or bottles. Applied after shampoo; rinse thoroughly after 1–3 minutes.

Common Mistakes

I washed my hair with conditioner first, then shampoo.
I washed my hair with shampoo first, then applied conditioner.
Shampoo cleans the hair; conditioner treats it. Conditioner is never used before shampoo.
I forgot to buy shampoo, so I used conditioner to clean my hair.
I forgot to buy shampoo, so I used a gentle soap bar instead.
Conditioner does not clean hair; it only softens and detangles.

2. A liquid you add to the final rinse of a washing machine cycle to make clothes,

2.nounB1
Definition

A liquid you add to the final rinse of a washing machine cycle to make clothes, towels, and sheets feel softer and reduce static electricity.

Example

Nellie always adds fabric conditioner to the wash so her shirts feel soft against the skin.

add + fabric conditioner + to the wash — typical usage pattern

Rodrigo forgot to put conditioner in the machine, and his towels came out stiff and scratchy.

forget to put conditioner in the machine — consequence shown in context

Common collocations
  • fabric conditioner
  • add conditioner to the wash
  • put conditioner in the machine
  • conditioner for baby clothes / sensitive skin
  • mild conditioner
Synonyms
  • fabric softener

    The more common term in American English; identical product.

  • rinse aid

    Used in dishwashers rather than washing machines; different product category.

Grammar Patterns

fabric conditioner + is

add + conditioner + to + the wash

conditioner + for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Also called fabric softener, especially in American English. Fabric conditioner is the more common term in British English. Usually uncountable; countable when talking about brands or types (e.g. 'This is a good conditioner for towels').

Common Mistakes

I put conditioner in the detergent drawer with the washing powder.
I put conditioner in the fabric softener compartment of the dispenser drawer.
Conditioner is released during the final rinse, not during the main wash cycle.
I ran out of laundry detergent, so I used fabric conditioner instead.
I ran out of laundry detergent, so I bought more.
Fabric conditioner does not clean clothes; it only softens them.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four products improve hair quality after washing, but they differ in intensity and use frequency. Regular conditioner (sense 1) is used every wash and is rinsed out quickly. A hair treatment is a broader term for any nourishing product, often left on longer. A hair mask is a more concentrated treatment used once or twice a week for deep repair. Leave-in conditioner is the lightest option — it stays in the hair between washes to provide ongoing moisture and detangling. For daily use after every shampoo, choose regular conditioner; for weekly deep repair, choose a hair mask; for extra moisture on dry days, choose a leave-in conditioner.

conditioner ↗hair treatmenthair maskleave-in conditioner

Common collocations

Phrases

  • bottle of conditioner
  • a capful of conditioner
  • brand of conditioner

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Derived from the verb 'condition', meaning 'to bring something to a desired state', plus the suffix '-er' meaning 'something that does'. The verb 'condition' entered English from Old French 'condicion' (state, nature), which came from Latin 'condicio' (agreement, situation). The meaning 'to bring to a good state' developed in the 16th century. The product sense for hair arose in the early 20th century, and for fabric in the mid-20th century.