qualify

verb

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

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 sorryT. 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 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 Other experts agree this does not qualify them as den animals in the way we’ve been led to believe. Kelly Conaboy, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Three other teams will qualify in the U-23 Asian Cup, which begins next month, with one more qualifier coming from an Asian-African confederation playoff. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Workers who changed jobs frequently might never qualify for a traditional pension. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 What conditions qualify for medical cannabis in Kentucky? Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 Significantly, the bill would raise the bar for obtaining asylum and dramatically cut the time to determine who qualifies — allowing for quicker deportation of those who don’t. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 And when the Bruins dipped again in the early 2010s, Cal qualified for the field. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 This is where Pilates, as well as other activities like yoga, barre, and general weight lifting, all qualify, Dr. Agénor explains. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 14 Mar. 2024 Lactose intolerance, which affects 30 million to 50 million Americans, qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 14 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

Dictionary Entries Near qualify

Cite this Entry

“Qualify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qualify. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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