- 1[countable] the mental, emotional, or physical condition that a person or thing is in a confused state of mind He was in a state of permanent depression. A report condemned the state of prisoners' cells. anxieties about the state of the country's economy The building is in a bad state of repair (= needs to be repaired). She was in a state of shock. Which Word?condition / stateThe following adjectives are frequently used with these nouns:
~ condition ~ state good present excellent current physical mental poor solid human no perfect emotional no natural - State is a more general word than condition and is used for the condition that something is in at a particular time. It is used to describe a person's mental health more than their physical health. It can be used without an adjective:the present state of medical knowledge We’re worried about his mental state. What a state this room is in (= very bad).
- Condition is used with an adjective and refers especially to the appearance, quality, or working order of someone or something. It is used to describe a person's physical health more than their mental health:The car is in excellent condition. The patient is in a critical condition.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
part of country - 2[countable] (abbreviation St.) an organized political community forming part of a country the states of Wyoming and North Dakota the southern states of the U.S.
- 3State [countable] a country considered as an organized political community controlled by one government the Baltic states European Union member states see city state, nation state, police state, welfare state Which Word?country / state
- Country is the most usual, neutral word for a geographical area that has or used to have its own central government.
- State usually refers to one of the 50 states of the U.S.:the state of Alabama
- State can also emphasize the political organization of an area under an independent government. It can also mean the government:the member states of the EU The state provides free education. heads of state (= leaders of various nations)
government - 4the state [uncountable, singular] the government of a country matters/affairs of state people who are financially dependent on the state a state-owned company They wish to limit the power of the state. official ceremony
- 5[uncountable] the formal ceremonies connected with high levels of government or with kings and queens The president was driven in state through the streets. the U.S.
- 6the States [plural] (informal) the United States of America I've never been to the States. Idioms
- 1to be/become excited or anxious She was in quite a state before her final exams. He got into a terrible state over his finances.
- 2to be dirty or messy What a state this place is in!
- circumstances
- position
- conditions
- things
- the case
- state of affairs
- situation all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place:the current economic situation
- circumstances the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event, or an action; the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have:The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.
- position the situation that someone is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do:She knew that she was in a position of power.
- conditions the circumstances in which people live, work, or do things; the physical situation that affects how something happens:We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions.
- Circumstances often refers to someone's financial situation;conditions are things such as the quality and amount of food or shelter they have. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions that affect it are usually physical ones, such as the weather.
- things (somewhat informal) the general situation, as it affects someone:Hi, Jane! How are things? Think things over before you decide.
- the case the true situation:If that is the case (= if the situation described is true), we need more staff.
- state of affairs a situation:Well, this is certainly a sorry state of affairs.
- State of affairs is mostly used with this. It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such as happy, sorry, shocking, and sad, as well as those relating to time, such as present and current. Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts.
- in (a) particular situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
- the/somebody's economic/financial/social situation/circumstances/position/conditions
- (a/an) happy/fortunate/unfortunate/sad situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
- to look at/review the situation/circumstances/conditions/things
condition of someone or something
(in the Roman Catholic Church) having been forgiven by God for the wrong or evil things you have done He died in a state of grace.
a situation, usually a bad one This state of affairs can no longer be ignored. Thesaurussituation
Check pronunciation: state