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

The plaintiffs seek a court order requiring the state to implement adequate list maintenance procedures and remove ineligible names from the rolls. —Reardon Sullivan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026

Convictions for certain crimes, including drug trafficking, robbery, rape and murder, makes immigrants ineligible to apply through the 1960s law. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026

The organization went on to say that da Silva did not graduate and was ineligible to practice osteopathy in the United Kingdom. —Chris Quintana, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

Gardner now becomes playoff eligible, with players on two-way deals ineligible for the postseason. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 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