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

• 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

For example, a $200,000 lump sum placed recently into an income annuity would qualify for a payment of about $1,200 a month for life, Morningstar said. —The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024

Answer: You generally must be married for at least nine months to qualify for Social Security survivor benefits. —Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024

Corona and Orange Lutheran qualified for the final after walk-off wins in the semifinals. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Individuals and households that reside or have a business in these localities qualify for tax relief. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024

In the sport's nearly 75-year history, only two women have qualified for Formula One, and only one driver, Lella Lombardi, scored points during a race in 1975. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

Hoping to leverage popular resistance to tax increases, business and anti-tax groups led by the California Business Roundtable have qualified a measure for the November ballot that would make raising state and local taxes much more difficult. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

Laws to qualify to run for president vary by state − and the team of lawyers hired by the DNC intend to scrutinize Kennedy's efforts. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Embezzlement of as little as 500 million Vietnamese dong — $20,000 — of government funds qualifies for such punishment, according to the group. —Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

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

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