'conditionality' originates from the adjective 'conditional' plus the nominalizing suffix '-ity'. 'Conditional' ultimately comes from Latin 'condicio' (from 'condicere' = 'con-' 'together' + 'dicere' 'to say'), where the elements relate to an agreement or stated terms.

'conditionality' developed from Middle English and Old French forms of 'condition' (Old French 'condicion', Latin 'condicio') into the adjective 'conditional' and then into the noun 'conditionality' by adding the suffix '-ity'.

Initially related to the idea of an agreed-upon condition or stipulation, its core sense of 'being subject to conditions' has remained, though it has broadened to include specialized uses (e.g., policy/loan conditions).