qualify

verb

qual·​i·​fy ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī 

qualified; qualifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to reduce from a general to a particular or restricted form : modify

b

: to make less harsh or strict : moderate

c

: to alter the strength or flavor of

d

: to limit or modify the meaning of

qualify a noun

2

: to characterize by naming an attribute : describe

… cannot qualify it as … either glad or sorry.

—T. S. Eliot

3

a

: to fit by training, skill, or ability for a special purpose

b(1)

: to declare competent or adequate : certify

(2)

: to invest with legal capacity : license

intransitive verb

1

: to be or become fit (as for an office) : meet the required standard

2

: to acquire legal or competent power or capacity

has just qualified as a lawyer

3

a

: to exhibit a required degree of ability in a preliminary contest

qualified for the finals

b

: to shoot well enough to earn a marksmanship badge

Synonyms of qualify

• modify

Examples of qualify in a Sentence

His experience qualifies him for the job.

The training will qualify you to sell insurance.

They both qualify for the job.

Did she qualify to receive financial aid?

Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

The win qualifies her to compete in the final race.

The certification qualifies you to teach only in this state.

Recent Examples on the Web

The public relations professional and veteran civil rights activist raised enough money in small contributions to qualify for public financing of her campaign. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026

In qualifying, Antonelli continued his heroics to take pole, but what no one really saw coming was Max Verstappen doing Max Verstappen things and sticking his Red Bull on the first row. —Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

This was Haiti’s night to celebrate its culture and beloved national team, which qualified for its first World Cup in 52 years and was coming off an emphatic 4-0 win over New Zealand in a friendly in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026

Ferrari was without team principal Fred Vasseur, who missed qualifying for medical reasons. —ABC News, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French qualifier, from Medieval Latin qualificare, from Latin qualis

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing qualify

• pre-qualify

Rhymes for qualify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

qualify

verb

qual·​i·​fy ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfī 

qualified; qualifying

1

a

: to make less general or more limited : modify

qualify a statement

b

: to make less harsh or strict : moderate

qualify a punishment

c

: to limit the meaning of (as a noun)

2

: to describe in a particular way

would you qualify her as smart

3

a

: to fit or be fit (as by training, skill, or ability) for a special purpose

qualify for a race

b

: license entry 2

qualified to practice law

Legal Definition

qualify

verb

qual·​i·​fy ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī 

qualified; qualifying

transitive verb

1

: to limit or modify in some way

2

: to make or consider eligible or fit

his training and experience qualified him as an expert witness

3

: to issue a certificate or license to

intransitive verb

1

: to meet certain requirements or criteria

qualify for a tax credit

2

: to acquire competent power or capacity

has just qualified as a lawyer