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 the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, election officials are supposed to finish any program for systematically removing ineligible voters 90 days before Election Day in federal races. — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 1 July 2026

Twice before in the past year, a judge has ordered Blake Rakela to remain ineligible for bail pending trial. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

The program has been a key pillar of his efforts to cull potentially ineligible voters from state rolls. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Any small gift or reward from the charity makes the entire contribution ineligible for a QCD. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 26 June 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