# qualification

/ˌkwɑɫəfəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /kwˌɒlɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/qualification
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. professional credential

noun · CEFR B1

an official record of showing you have finished a course or passed an exam.

For teachers: a certificate, diploma, or degree awarded upon the successful completion of a course of study or a professional examination.

- She has all the right qualifications for the teaching job.
- The candidate's academic qualifications were impressive, but the board was more interested in her five years of practical experience in the field.

Usage: Often used in the plural when referring to a person's educational history.

### 2. skill or quality

noun · CEFR B2

a skill, quality, or experience that makes you suitable for a particular job or activity.

For teachers: a quality, ability, or accomplishment that makes a person suitable for a particular position or task.

- Patience is an essential qualification for anyone working with young children.
- The committee questioned whether his previous leadership roles provided the necessary qualifications to manage a budget of this magnitude.

### 3. limiting condition

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a detail or condition that limits a statement and makes it less general.

For teachers: a statement or condition that modifies or limits the meaning of another statement.

- I can recommend him for the promotion, but only with one qualification.
- The CEO offered her support for the merger, though she added several important qualifications regarding the protection of current staff contracts.

Usage: Often follows verbs like 'add', 'make', or 'provide'.

## Examples

- She has the right qualifications for the teaching job.
- The recruiter noted that while his experience was impressive, he lacked the formal qualification required by state law.
- The professor offered his support for the new policy, but with the significant qualification that funding must be secured before the autumn semester begins.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.