qualify
verb
qual·i·fy
ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī 
qualified; qualifying
1
2
: to characterize by naming an attribute : describe
cannot qualify it as … either glad or sorry—
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot1
: 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
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
However, obese patients with diabetes or heart disease may qualify for coverage.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
When does a medical emergency qualify as life-threatening?
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
If a flight requires a passenger with a disability to make a connection at an airport or on a flight that is less accommodating, that also qualifies for a refund.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
The top three Indiana high schools all have student populations below 1,000 students and less than 20% of their students qualify for free or reduced lunch, according to IDOE data.
—Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2024
The proposal would raise the personal exemption allowance amount so that each dependent would qualify for an additional $2,320, while raising the allowance from $2,250 for all taxpayers to $18,320 for married couples and $9,160 for all other taxpayers.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
Those buying the trucks can qualify for state and federal subsidies to make up most of the upfront costs.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Folwell is also proposing that the state health plan raise the minimum body mass index, or BMI, threshold to qualify for the drugs, reserving it for people with severe obesity.
—Jason Kane, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Compared with social media, or national television, a three-hundred-and-fifty person audience at the Bell House qualified as an intimate gathering.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2024
Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
When does a medical emergency qualify as life-threatening?
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
If a flight requires a passenger with a disability to make a connection at an airport or on a flight that is less accommodating, that also qualifies for a refund.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
The top three Indiana high schools all have student populations below 1,000 students and less than 20% of their students qualify for free or reduced lunch, according to IDOE data.
—Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2024
The proposal would raise the personal exemption allowance amount so that each dependent would qualify for an additional $2,320, while raising the allowance from $2,250 for all taxpayers to $18,320 for married couples and $9,160 for all other taxpayers.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
Those buying the trucks can qualify for state and federal subsidies to make up most of the upfront costs.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Folwell is also proposing that the state health plan raise the minimum body mass index, or BMI, threshold to qualify for the drugs, reserving it for people with severe obesity.
—Jason Kane, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Compared with social media, or national television, a three-hundred-and-fifty person audience at the Bell House qualified as an intimate gathering.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near qualify
Cite this Entry
“Qualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qualify. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
qualify
verb
qual·i·fy
ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfī
qualified; qualifying
1
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
qualified; qualifying
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share