qualify

American  

[kwol-uh-fahy] / ˈkwɒl əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

qualified, qualifying

1. to provide with proper or necessary skills, knowledge, credentials, etc.; make competent.

   to qualify oneself for a job.

   Synonyms:

   equip, prepare, adapt, suit, fit

2. to modify or limit in some way; make less strong or positive.

   to qualify an endorsement.

   Synonyms:

   restrict, narrow

3. Grammar. to modify.

4. to make less violent, severe, or unpleasant; moderate; mitigate.

   Synonyms:

   diminish, reduce, temper, soften, ameliorate

5. to attribute some quality or qualities to; characterize, call, or name.

   She cannot qualify his attitude as either rational or irrational.

   Synonyms:

   designate, label

6. to modify or alter the flavor or strength of.

   He qualified his coffee with a few drops of brandy.

7. Law. to certify as legally competent.

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verb (used without object)

qualified, qualifying

1. to be fitted or competent for something.

2. to get authority, license, power, etc., as by fulfilling required conditions, taking an oath, etc.

3. Sports. to demonstrate the required ability in an initial or preliminary contest.

   He qualified in the trials.

4. to fire a rifle or pistol on a target range for a score high enough to achieve a rating of marksman, sharpshooter, or expert.

5. Military. to pass a practical test in gunnery.

6. Law. to perform the actions necessary to acquire legal power or capacity.

   By filing a bond and taking an oath he qualified as executor.

qualify British  

/ ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪ, -ˌkeɪ-, ˈkwɒlɪfɪkətərɪ /

verb

1. to provide or be provided with the abilities or attributes necessary for a task, office, duty, etc

   his degree qualifies him for the job

   he qualifies for the job, but would he do it well?

2. (tr) to make less strong, harsh, or violent; moderate or restrict

3. (tr) to modify or change the strength or flavour of

4. (tr) grammar another word for modify

5. (tr) to attribute a quality to; characterize

6. (intr) to progress to the final stages of a competition, as by winning preliminary contests

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Related Words

See modify.

Other Word Forms

• misqualify verb
• nonqualifying adjective
• overqualify verb
• prequalify verb
• qualifiable adjective
• qualificatory adjective
• qualifyingly adverb
• requalify verb
• superqualify verb
• unqualifying adjective
• unqualifyingly adverb
• unrequalified adjective

Etymology

Origin of qualify

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin quālificāre, from Latin quāl(is) “of what sort” + -ificāre -ify

Explanation

Make sure you know the context when using the word qualify. In one sense, it means to be right for, to measure up. In another sense, though, qualify means to change something slightly, to limit it or add a condition to it. If you want to qualify for your driver's license, remember not to drive through that final stop sign without stopping. I guarantee you that if you don't stop you will not qualify. You don't just get your Eagle Badge. You have to qualify for it—there's a lot to do before you get it. The word might be used in its other sense like this: If you plan to get married, keep your vows simple: say "I do." Don't qualify them by saying something like "I do...except sometimes, when I don't." If you have to qualify your wedding vows, don't get married.

Example Sentences

Sion went on to qualify as a nutritionist and then opened his own gym.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

But it’s just this supposed difficulty that should ideally qualify him for all but the most timid of book clubs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“Just building a fixed facility in and of itself does not qualify as territorial appropriation or territorial sovereignty.”

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

We found that, in addition to Walmart, 14 other low-wage 20 companies had median pay in 2024 below the $35,631 income limit for a family of three to qualify for Medicaid.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Zuccarini says he thinks Truman kids could benefit from Rider’s small classes and intense level of faculty engagement, and some could qualify for admission.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• certify
• enable
• entitle
• meet
• pass
• ready
• score
• train