qualifier
n. countablen. a word or phrase that changes the meaning of another word by making it more specific or less strong. In sports or games, it can also mean a match you must win to enter a bigger competition.
n. a word or phrase, especially an adjective or adverb, that modifies the meaning of another element by adding detail or limiting its scope. In a sporting context, refers to a preliminary contest that determines eligibility for a final tournament.
The word 'very' is a common qualifier in English.
The national team needs to win their final qualifier on Tuesday to secure a spot in the World Cup.
In technical writing, using a precise qualifier like 'occasionally' is often preferable to making a broad, absolute statement that might be proven false under specific conditions.
From qualify + -er.
In grammar, it often refers to words that function as intensifiers or mitigators; in sports, it can refer to both the event and the participant who succeeds.