qualify

verb

qual·​i·​fy ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce qualify (audio)
qualified; qualifying
Synonyms of qualifynext

transitive verb

1
a
: to reduce from a general to a particular or restricted form : modify
b
: to make less harsh or strict : moderate
c
: to alter the strength or flavor of
d
: to limit or modify the meaning of
qualify a noun
2
: to characterize by naming an attribute : describe
cannot qualify it as … either glad or sorry—T. S. Eliot
3
a
: to fit by training, skill, or ability for a special purpose
b(1)
: to declare competent or adequate : certify
(2)
: to invest with legal capacity : license

intransitive verb

1
: to be or become fit (as for an office) : meet the required standard
2
: to acquire legal or competent power or capacity
has just qualified as a lawyer
3
a
: to exhibit a required degree of ability in a preliminary contest
qualified for the finals
b
: to shoot well enough to earn a marksmanship badge

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of qualify in a Sentence

His experience qualifies him for the job. The training will qualify you to sell insurance. They both qualify for the job. Did she qualify to receive financial aid? Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. The win qualifies her to compete in the final race. The certification qualifies you to teach only in this state.
Recent Examples on the Web Each eligible customer will qualify for up to $100 each. —Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024 The winner of the June 2 final takes home $5 million in prize money and qualifies for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, being held in the United States. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024 One challenge for sellers is that FBA is the only way to guarantee that their merchandise qualifies for Amazon Prime shipping, which makes their products more attractive to many buyers. —Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024 Then coach Kevin Keatts and Co. won five games in five days for the ACC tournament title just to qualify for March Madness. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024 Through it all, the resilient Marygrove team qualified for the playoff portion of the competition. —Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024 In order to qualify for premium status, a product or brand must satisfy certain criteria, such as high-quality ingredients and good results. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024 Since then, however, the number qualifying for exemption has mushroomed, and the ultra-Orthodox make up 13 percent of the population. —Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024 The addition of hundreds of thousands of individuals who would qualify for state services in countries that are already barely coping with other refugee crises and experiencing varying degrees of internal strife, would surely add considerable strain. —Jonathan Lincoln, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'qualify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French qualifier, from Medieval Latin qualificare, from Latin qualis

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of qualify was in 1533

Phrases Containing qualify

Dictionary Entries Near qualify

qualifier

qualify

qualifying heat

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Qualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qualify. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

qualify

verb
qual·​i·​fy ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce qualify (audio)
qualified; qualifying
1
a
: to make less general or more limited : modify
qualify a statement
b
: to make less harsh or strict : moderate
qualify a punishment
c
: to limit the meaning of (as a noun)
2
: to describe in a particular way
would you qualify her as smart
3
a
: to fit or be fit (as by training, skill, or ability) for a special purpose
qualify for a race
b
: license entry 2
qualified to practice law

Legal Definition

qualify

verb
qual·​i·​fy ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce qualify (audio)
qualified; qualifying

transitive verb

1
: to limit or modify in some way
2
: to make or consider eligible or fit
his training and experience qualified him as an expert witness
3
: to issue a certificate or license to

intransitive verb

1
: to meet certain requirements or criteria
qualify for a tax credit
2
: to acquire competent power or capacity
has just qualified as a lawyer

More from Merriam-Webster on qualify

Nglish: Translation of qualify for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of qualify for Arabic Speakers

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