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

Under that policy, households were ineligible for premium subsidies if their income exceeded 400% of the federal poverty level. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025

Because of the Duke loss, UNC, which fell to 4-7, is ineligible to play in a bowl game. —Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

In addition, six college basketball players have been deemed permanently ineligible for participating in game fixing activities, and Congress has called on sports leaders to ensure the integrity of sports. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025

Periodic health setbacks made Jared ineligible for the surgery at times. —Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

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