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

Listen to this article Last fall, Lincoln-Way Central’s Flynn Meyer qualified for the state meet in diving. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

And Racing Bull's Yuki Tsunoda demonstrated that he probably should have been promoted to the Red Bull team with a fine 5th place in qualifying that sadly did not translate to points in the race. —Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025

Last year, Wood Brothers Racing qualified for the playoffs with Harrison Burton behind the wheel. —Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Reportedly, this expansion means about 86 percent of U.S. families will now qualify for Harvard’s financial aid. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 17 Mar. 2025

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
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

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