A proviso is a conditiona fact or rule that has to be true for something else to occur or requirementsomething needed or demanded in order for an action or result to happen that must be met before something can happen, or as part of an agreementan arrangement reached by two or more sides about what each will do.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /prəˈvaɪzoʊ/
Easy pronunciation: pruh-VY-zo (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the second syllable: VY.
Noun meaning a stated condition that limits or qualifies an agreement, plan, or statement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Proviso Meaning
a condition attached to something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a stated condition that limits or qualifies an agreement, plan, or statement
Example: The contract was accepted with one proviso: the work had to be finished by June.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- condition — A close everyday substitute when referring to a requirement or limitation.
- provision — Can work in legal or formal contexts, but it is broader and sometimes means an arranged item or arrangement rather than a condition itself.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Proviso Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- condition
- provision
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using proviso to mean a general rule or plan rather than a specific condition.
- Confusing proviso with provision, which is related but not always an exact synonym in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does proviso mean in simple English?
A proviso is a condition that must be met, or a limitation added to an agreement or statement.
What are synonyms for proviso?
Common synonyms include condition, and sometimes provision in formal or legal contexts.
How do you use proviso in a sentence?
You can say: "The offer was accepted with one proviso: delivery must be free."
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
