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

Signing the Littleton native seemed a foregone conclusion after his Homegrown status left him ineligible for the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. —Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2025

Guard Ahron Ulis, an Iowa transfer, was ineligible last year. —Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

If the Academy does end up reforming the International Film category — where Light is ineligible after not being selected by India or France — Kapadia will be the poster child for the change. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2025

Last month a Ramsey County judge ruled that Curtis Johnson was ineligible to serve for the House District 40B seat he was elected to in November due to residency issues. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025

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