eligible
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having the right qualifications or meeting the rules to participate in something.
adj.meeting the stipulated requirements or conditions to participate in a programme, hold a position, or receive a benefit.
Simple“You are eligible for a student discount if you show your university ID.”
In context“Only citizens who have resided in the country for at least five years are eligible to apply for this specific category of government grant.”
UsageCommonly followed by the preposition 'for' plus a noun, or 'to' plus an infinitive verb.
PitfallHe is eligible to the scholarship. He is eligible for the scholarship.Use 'eligible for' followed by a noun, or 'eligible to' followed by a verb.
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.considered to be a good choice for a husband or wife because of wealth, status, or personality.
adj.regarded as a desirable or suitable candidate for marriage, typically due to social standing, wealth, or personal attributes.
Simple“In the old novel, he was described as the most eligible bachelor in the city.”
In context“The local aristocracy viewed the young count as a highly eligible match for their daughters, given his vast estates and impeccable reputation.”
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a person who meets the requirements for something.
n.an individual who satisfies the necessary conditions or criteria for a specific status or benefit.
Simple“The department sent a letter to all eligibles explaining how to claim their benefits.”
In context“The agency maintained a comprehensive list of eligibles who had passed the initial screening process for the overseas assignment.”
UsageUsually appears in administrative or legal contexts, often in the plural.
Usage eligible public
“Putin recently signed a law expanding the pool of convicted prisoners eligible to sign contracts with the army, including people convicted of “serious and especially serious crimes”.”
“The widely criticised “welfare gun” scheme allows eligible public officials to obtain weapons at steep discounts, but the Bangkok Post reports many of these guns end up being resold.”
From Middle French eligible, from Latin eligibilis, from ēligō (“select, choose”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.