qualify

qual·i·fy

verb \ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī\

qual·i·fiedqual·i·fy·ing

Definition of QUALIFY

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 (as 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

Examples of QUALIFY

1. His experience qualifies him for the job.
2. The training will qualify you to sell insurance.
3. They both qualify for the job.
4. Did she qualify to receive financial aid?
5. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
6. The win qualifies her to compete in the final race.
7. The certification qualifies you to teach only in this state.

Origin of QUALIFY

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

First Known Use: 1533

Related to QUALIFY

Synonyms

modify

Antonyms

disqualify

Related Words

alter, color, distort, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, twist, warp; narrow

Near Antonyms

broaden, expand, widen

Rhymes with QUALIFY

abide by, Adonai, alibi, alkali, amplify, apple-pie, argufy, assegai, azo dye, basify, beautify, butterfly, by-and-by, caddis fly, calcify, certify, Chou En-lai, citify, clarify, classify, coalify, cockneyfy, codify, college try, cottage pie, crucify, cut-and-try, cutie-pie, DIY, damnify, damselfly, dandify, deify, densify, dignify, dobsonfly, do-or-die, dragonfly, dulcify, eagle eye, edify, evil eye, falsify, fancify, fortify, frenchify, fructify, gasify, Gemini, gentrify, glorify, goggle-eye, goldeneye, gratify, Haggai, harvest fly, hexerei, high and dry, hip and thigh, Hokusai, hook and eye, horrify, hoverfly, humble pie, Iceni, justify, kiss good-bye, lazy eye, lignify, liquefy, lithify, Lorelei, lullaby, Madurai, magnify, Malachi, Maracay, minify, modify, mollify, Molokai, Mordecai, mortify, multi-ply, multiply, mummify, mystify, nazify, notify, nullify, occupy, old school tie, on standby, on the fly, ossify, overbuy, overfly, overlie, pacify, Paraguay, passerby, peccavi, petrify, PPI, preachify, prettify, private eye, prophesy, purify, putrefy, quantify, ramify, rarefy, ratify, RBI, rectify, reify, res gestae, robber fly, runner's high, Russify, samurai, sanctify, satisfy, scarify, schwarmerei, semidry, set store by, shepherd's pie, shoofly pie, signify, simplify, Spanish fly, specify, speechify, stratify, stultify, stupefy, sweetie pie, Tenebrae, terrify, testify, tie-and-dye, tigereye, Trans Alai, tumble dry, typify, uglify, underlie, unify, Uruguay, Veneti, verify, versify, vilify, vinify, vitrify, vivify, weather eye, Windsor tie, xanthene dye, yuppify, zombify