eligible

[el-i-juh-buhl]

adjective

1. fit or proper to be chosen; worthy of choice; desirable.

   to marry an eligible bachelor.

   Synonyms: suitable, fitting
   Antonyms: unacceptable, unsuitable, ineligible

2. meeting the stipulated requirements, as to participate, compete, or work; qualified.

3. legally qualified to be elected or appointed to office.

   eligible for the presidency.

noun

1. a person or thing that is eligible.

   Among the eligibles, only a few are running for office.

eligible

/ ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl /

adjective

1. fit, worthy, or qualified, as for an office or function

2. desirable and worthy of being chosen, esp as a spouse

   an eligible young man

Other Word Forms

• eligibility noun
• eligibleness noun
• eligibly adverb
• noneligible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eligible¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French or directly from Late Latin ēligibilis, equivalent to Latin ē- “out of, from” + lig- (combining form of leg-, stem of legere “to choose, select”) + -bilis “capable of, susceptible of, tending to”; e- ¹, -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of eligible¹

C15: from Late Latin ēligibilis able to be chosen, from ēligere to _elect

Example Sentences

Democrats have denied those claims and illegal or undocumented immigrants are not eligible for the schemes the Democrats are supporting, BBC Verify reports.

From BBC

He added: "Compensation awards and interim payments began being issued to eligible survivors at the end of April 2025 and the scheme will remain open until 31 March 2026."

From BBC

The grants are awarded based on income, and students become eligible through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or California Dream Act Application.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the scheme, the discount applies to new eligible car models costing up to £37,000, with the most environmentally friendly ones seeing the biggest reductions.

From BBC

Everyone in California who qualifies for Medi-Cal will still be eligible to receive emergency medical and dental care, no matter their immigration status.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acceptable 
• likely 
• qualified 
• suitable