Word
eligible
Phoneticsel·i·gi·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛɫədʒəbəɫ/
UK/ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/
Definitions
01meeting requirements
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.
日本語:適格※
“You are eligible for a student discount if you show your university ID.”
“Only citizens who have resided in the country for at least five years are eligible to apply for this specific category of government grant.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' plus a noun, or 'to' plus an infinitive verb.
Pitfall
He 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
02desirable for marriage
C1 · Advanced Formal
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.
“In the old novel, he was described as the most eligible bachelor in the city.”
“The local aristocracy viewed the young count as a highly eligible match for their daughters, given his vast estates and impeccable reputation.”
Antonyms
03a qualified person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Technical
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.
“The department sent a letter to all eligibles explaining how to claim their benefits.”
“The agency maintained a comprehensive list of eligibles who had passed the initial screening process for the overseas assignment.”
Usage
Usually appears in administrative or legal contexts, often in the plural.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “eligible” in context.
Verb
01. become eligible
“You will become eligible for full pension benefits once you reach the age of sixty-five.”
verb + adj
02. deem someone eligible
“The committee reviewed his credentials and deemed him eligible to lead the research project.”
verb + noun + adj
03. remain eligible
“Athletes must maintain a minimum grade point average to remain eligible for the varsity team.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. eligible for promotion
“After three years of consistent performance, she is finally eligible for promotion to senior manager.”
adj + prep
05. eligible to apply
“Only students who have completed the prerequisite courses are eligible to apply for the scholarship.”
adj + infinitive
06. highly eligible bachelor
“As a successful entrepreneur with a charming personality, he was considered a highly eligible bachelor.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. eligible voters
“The government is launching a campaign to encourage all eligible voters to register before the deadline.”
adj + noun
08. eligible public
Real-World Examples
“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.” “For future tenancies, UK nationals and those with EU settled status would be eligible, however, any new EU citizens without settled status would not be.” “Meanwhile, they do want everyone who is eligible to come forward and get the vaccine because it can prevent serious illness.” Etymology
From Middle French eligible, from Latin eligibilis, from ēligō (“select, choose”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/eligible
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0