ENGLISH
REFERENCE

qualify

v.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkwɑɫəˌfaɪ// UK //kwˈɒlɪfˌaɪ// qual·i·fy Archaic General-service

v. to reach the necessary standard to do a job, take part in a competition, or use a right. You often use this when you finish a training course or pass a test.

v. to meet the required standards, conditions, or criteria to participate in an activity or hold a specific status. Often used in professional or competitive contexts to indicate the completion of a prerequisite.


SIMPLE

She worked hard to qualify as a doctor.

CONTEXTUAL

After winning the regional tournament, the team will qualify for the national championships held in the capital.

COMPLEX

To qualify for the senior management position, candidates must demonstrate at least a decade of experience in the sector and hold a relevant postgraduate degree.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French qualifier (“to qualify”). Equivalent to quality + -fy.

Usage

The verb is often intransitive but frequently takes the preposition 'for' (to qualify for something) or 'as' (to qualify as something).

Pitfall

He qualified to the finalHe qualified for the finalWhen referring to a competition or a benefit, the verb takes the preposition 'for' rather than 'to'.

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