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

Edwards remains in Sacramento County Main Jail custody and was ineligible for bail. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The draft agreement would require CMS to repay the city for any expenses the city deems ineligible. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

In 2014 Long Beach Unified suspended Long Beach Poly basketball coach Sharrief Metoyer for one year after he was caught using an ineligible player during a state playoff game. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Between 2020 and 2023, talent agents acknowledged that White clients, particularly White men, were effectively ineligible for promotion because of diversity initiatives. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 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