ineligible

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

Examples of ineligible in a Sentence

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

They are ineligible for a loan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Athletes are also ineligible if they were coached by a coach at the new school in AAU, the previous school or any other private athletic training in the past calendar year before the transfer. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026

There are other areas of law that could give rise to legal claims by a trans woman deemed ineligible to play. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Little League on Monday ruled that Tulsa National Little League's 12U team had an ineligible player on the roster and booted it from the Southwest Region Tournament, the final stop before the Little League World Series. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The Covered List is a registry of products and companies that are ineligible for use or sale in the United States. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French inéligible, from in- + éligible eligible

First Known Use

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