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

Quarterback Hayes Hackney had been ruled ineligible Tuesday by the 3-5A Division II District Executive Committee. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

In Texas, for example, election officials told the Texas Tribune and ProPublica the system routinely flagged citizens as ineligible voters. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

If an athlete became ineligible, NCAA rules required the school to immediately keep that athlete out of competition. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Secured debts, like mortgages and auto loans, are ineligible. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 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