prequalify
verb
pre·qual·i·fy
ˌprē-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī 
variants
or pre-qualify
prequalified or pre-qualified; prequalifying or pre-qualifying
1
intransitive
: to qualify as a candidate : to meet the preliminary requirements for something
She prequalified for a mortgage.
Experts suggest that you pre-qualify for a loan before you begin shopping in order to make sure there will be no deal-killing glitches.—
Bill Lindsey
Bill Lindsey… sometimes, you will prequalify for an amount that won't pan out in the preapproval process. You don't want to look for homes that, in actuality, you can't afford.—Donna Raskin and Susan Hawthorne
Donna Raskin and Susan HawthorneTo prequalify, contractors are required to complete questionnaires that probe such things as the contractor's financial situation, the experience of the company and its key personnel …—David J. Pratt
David J. Pratt2
transitive
: to qualify or certify (someone or something) as a candidate
The bank prequalified her for a mortgage.
… the city prequalified three construction and engineering consortiums to bid on the $535 million project.—The Ottawa (Canada) Business Journal
The Ottawa (Canada) Business Journal
prequalified
adjective
or pre-qualified
a prequalified buyer/contractor
prequalified bids
prequalification
noun
or pre-qualification
Prequalification means you fill out all the forms and get a commitment from a lender that it will lend you a certain amount of money on prescribed terms …
—Michael C. Donaldson
Michael C. Donaldson
the prequalification process
Examples of prequalify in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In some states, such as Pennsylvania, California, New York and Virginia, people seeking a REAL ID can prequalify or apply online, then complete the process in person.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Try to prequalify with at least three lenders, such as a bank, a credit union and an online refinancing provider.
—Rebecca Safier, wsj.com, 12 Dec. 2023
For that to happen, the WHO still needs to prequalify the vaccine, an assessment that tells nonprofit purchasers and national regulatory authorities that a new drug is safe and effective.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
Amazon Prime members can use their subscription to prequalify for Boost’s $25/month plan at a new storefront(Opens in a new window).
—Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 26 July 2023
In open session at 6 p.m., the council will discuss an ordinance establishing procedures to prequalify contractors and to debar contractors; and an ordinance modifying provisions to suspend or revoke tobacco licenses.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2021
Borrowers looking to consolidate with a loan can prequalify with some lenders to see potential rates without affecting their credit scores.
—cleveland, 20 Feb. 2021
Hospital regulators, including the IRS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, allow hospitals to use tools that prequalify patients for financial aid.
—Anna Wilde Mathews, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2022
The council approved an ordinance establishing procedures to prequalify contractors and to debar contractors; and an ordinance modifying provisions to suspend or revoke tobacco licenses.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Try to prequalify with at least three lenders, such as a bank, a credit union and an online refinancing provider.
—Rebecca Safier, wsj.com, 12 Dec. 2023
For that to happen, the WHO still needs to prequalify the vaccine, an assessment that tells nonprofit purchasers and national regulatory authorities that a new drug is safe and effective.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
Amazon Prime members can use their subscription to prequalify for Boost’s $25/month plan at a new storefront(Opens in a new window).
—Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 26 July 2023
In open session at 6 p.m., the council will discuss an ordinance establishing procedures to prequalify contractors and to debar contractors; and an ordinance modifying provisions to suspend or revoke tobacco licenses.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2021
Borrowers looking to consolidate with a loan can prequalify with some lenders to see potential rates without affecting their credit scores.
—cleveland, 20 Feb. 2021
Hospital regulators, including the IRS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, allow hospitals to use tools that prequalify patients for financial aid.
—Anna Wilde Mathews, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2022
The council approved an ordinance establishing procedures to prequalify contractors and to debar contractors; and an ordinance modifying provisions to suspend or revoke tobacco licenses.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Prequalify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prequalify. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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