What does "qualify" mean?

1. (to reach a standard) to pass an exam or finish a course so that you can do a particular job. 2. (to be eligible) to have the right to have or do something because you meet certain rules. 3. (competition) to succeed in one part of a competition so that you can move to the next stage. 4. (to limit a statement) to add something to a statement to make it less general or less strong.

How do you use "qualify"?

often used with the preposition 'as' followed by a profession. usually takes the preposition 'for'. often used with 'for'. transitive verb taking a direct object such as 'statement', 'remark', or 'claim'.

qualify

US //ˈkwɑɫəˌfaɪ// UK //kwˈɒlɪfˌaɪ// qual·i·fy

1 to reach a standard (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to pass an exam or finish a course so that you can do a particular job.

to achieve the necessary credentials or complete the required training to practice a profession.

Example

After three years of hard study, she finally qualified as a doctor.

Example

He spent four years in an apprenticeship before he finally qualified as a master carpenter, allowing him to take on independent contracts.

Usage

often used with the preposition 'as' followed by a profession.
- certify
- graduate
- fail
2 to be eligible (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to have the right to have or do something because you meet certain rules.

to meet the necessary criteria or conditions to be eligible for a benefit or status.

Example

You must live in the city for a year to qualify for the housing grant.

Example

The legal team reviewed the application to determine whether the non-profit would qualify for tax-exempt status under the new regulations.

Usage

usually takes the preposition 'for'.
- eligible
- entitled
- disqualify

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 competition (v.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

to succeed in one part of a competition so that you can move to the next stage.

to perform successfully in a preliminary heat or round to earn a place in the final or next stage of a contest.

Example

The runner finished second in her heat, so she qualified for the final.

Example

Despite a slow start in the opening rounds, the national team managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Usage

often used with 'for'.
- advance
- progress
- eliminated
4 to limit a statement (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

to add something to a statement to make it less general or less strong.

to modify or limit the scope of a statement by adding conditions or reservations.

Example

I need to qualify my earlier comment because I don't want you to misunderstand me.

Example

The researcher felt it necessary to qualify her findings, noting that the small sample size might not represent the broader population accurately.

Usage

transitive verb taking a direct object such as 'statement', 'remark', or 'claim'.

Origin

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

Word family

Verbdisqualify
Verbqualify
Nounqualifier
Nounqualifying
Adjectivequalified