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

Still, the Republican National Committee sent a letter to the WEC in September alleging ballots were sent to more than 1,000 ineligible voters in Wisconsin, according to Democracy Docket. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024

But without checking Social Security numbers or other citizenship documents, the RNC raised concerns about the risk of ineligible voters participating this year. —Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024

At the center of the lawsuits against Virginia's program is the following: Youngkin signed an executive order in August requiring daily, instead of monthly, updates to state voter lists to remove ineligible voters. —Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

This maintenance process removes ineligible voters, often those who have died or moved. —Laura Doan, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French inéligible, from in- + éligible eligible

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

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