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

Safety Lewis Cine — drafted with the No. 32 pick by the Minnesota Vikings — is ineligible for the fifth-year option after he was released before the 2024 season. —Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

In the paper, Richards concluded that people who have undergone male puberty should be ineligible to compete against biological females. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025

Youngkin, a Republican and the current governor, is ineligible to run for re-election due to a state law prohibiting consecutive terms. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025

The injunction blocks the NCAA from rendering Elad ineligible for the fall season and should help his prospects in the 2026 NFL draft. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Apr. 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