What does proviso mean?
Word: Proviso
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Proviso means a rule or demand that must be met before an agreement can go ahead.
Synonyms: stipulation
How do you spell proviso?
Syllables: pro - vi - so
Tricky part: The s is said like a z, so pupils are tempted to write a z.
Watch out for: provizo, provisso, provizzo
Memory tip: Visa and proviso share an s that sounds like z: a visa is granted only with a proviso or two.
Proviso in a sentence
Example 1: Father lent me the camera with the proviso that I clean the lens.
Example 2: The club accepted the gift of land with just one proviso.
Example 3: You may leave early, with the proviso that your work is finished.
Fun Fact
It comes from the Latin phrase proviso quod, it being provided that, which old legal documents used to introduce a clause.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
One word in the list is misspelt and three are spelt correctly. Choose its meaning.
1. addendum 2. clause 3. provisio 4. amendment
a) a small change made to a law or document
b) an item added at the end of a book
c) a section of a written agreement
d) a stated requirement attached to a deal
Show answer
d) a stated requirement attached to a deal. A stray i has been added towards the end; clause, amendment and addendum are spelt correctly.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
pr_vis_
a) e, o
b) o, a
c) a, o
d) o, o
Show answer
d) o, o. This word opens like provide, and it ends in the vowel that closes radio.
Mingle-Mangle
The sentence contains a jumbled word. Choose the word it hides:
Mother's only opiorvs for the trip was a phone call home every evening.
a) proviso
b) provision
c) premise
d) promise
Show answer
a) proviso. The jumble has two o's but no n, m or e, and that leaves one choice.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word proviso as used in the sentence:
The hall may be used for the fete, under the proviso that it is swept clean afterwards.
a) reward
b) apology
c) rumour
d) condition
Show answer
d) condition. The clean floor is something that has to be agreed before the hall can be used.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The school allowed the picnic with the proviso that every pupil brings a signed form. What happens to a pupil with no form?
a) gets a new form on the bus
b) stays back while the others go
c) goes along and hands it in later
d) pays a little extra at the gate
Show answer
b) stays back while the others go
2. Which phrase is closest in meaning to with the proviso that?
a) on the understanding that
b) in spite of the fact that
c) for the reason that
d) in the hope that
Show answer
a) on the understanding that
