ineligible

1 of 2

adjective

in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈne-lə-jə-bəl 

: not eligible: such as

a

: not qualified for an office or position

b

: not permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass

an ineligible receiver

ineligibility

(ˌ)i-ˌne-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

ineligible noun

ineligibility

2 of 2

noun

in·​eligibility (¦)in 

ən+

: the condition or fact of being ineligible

Examples of ineligible in a Sentence

Adjective

Previously ineligible patients may now be able to participate in the study.

They are ineligible for a loan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With Yeager ineligible for election to retain his seat and Saunders stepping down to retire at the end of this term later this year, neither will be on the council long-term going forward. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Under the new policies set by the SEC and Big Ten, any athlete that has signed with a pro team in the NFL, declared for the NFL Draft or participated in any type of professional training camp will be ineligible for conference competition. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

When one school can gain from a court ruling by playing an ineligible player for another season, that school gets to play by a different and favorable set of rules. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026

The person did not elaborate on the reasons for declaring the two men ineligible. — Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French inéligible, from in- + éligible eligible

First Known Use

Adjective

1770, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ineligible

• eligible
• intelligible
• unintelligible

Kids Definition

ineligible

adjective

in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈel-ə-jə-bəl 

: not qualified to be chosen or used

ineligibility

(ˌ)in-ˌel-ə-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

ineligible noun