Definition

Noun: A proviso is a condition or stipulation that is added to an agreement, contract, or statement. It specifies that something must happen or be accepted as a requirement for the main part of the agreement to be valid.

Examples

• He agreed to lend me the money, with the proviso that I pay it back within six months.
• The contract was signed with one important proviso regarding delivery dates.
• She accepted the job offer, subject to the proviso that she could work from home two days a week.

Advanced Usage

• "With the proviso that...": This is the most common structure for introducing the specific condition.
  • The plan was approved with the proviso that costs would not exceed the initial budget.
• "Subject to the proviso that...": A more formal alternative with the same meaning.
  • Permission was granted subject to the proviso that all safety regulations were followed.

Variants and Related Words

• Provisos (n): The standard plural form of 'proviso'.
  • The agreement contained several provisos about future use of the land.

Different Meanings

The word proviso is used almost exclusively to mean a conditional clause or stipulation in a formal or semi-formal context. It does not have significantly different meanings.

Synonyms

• Condition: A state or circumstance that must be fulfilled.
• Stipulation: A specific demand or condition set as part of an agreement.
• Rider: An addition or amendment to a document, often a contract or legislative bill (similar in function to a proviso).
• Clause: A particular section or condition within a formal document.

Idioms

• With the proviso that...: As long as a specified condition is met.
  • You may use the library's resources with the proviso that you cite them properly.

Phrasal Verbs

• There are no common phrasal verbs specifically formed with the noun proviso.

Noun

1. a stipulated condition
   • he accepted subject to one provision