eligible

[ el-i-juh-buhl ]

/ ˈɛl ɪ dʒə bəl /

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See synonyms for: eligible / eligibility on Thesaurus.com

adjective

fit or proper to be chosen; worthy of choice; desirable: to marry an eligible bachelor.

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

legally qualified to be elected or appointed to office: eligible for the presidency.

noun

a person or thing that is eligible: Among the eligibles, only a few are running for office.

OTHER WORDS FOR eligible

1 fitting, suitable.

See synonyms for eligible on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR eligible

1 ineligible, unsuitable, unacceptable.

See antonyms for eligible on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of eligible

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”; see e-¹, -ible

OTHER WORDS FROM eligible

el·i·gi·bil·i·ty, el·i·gi·ble·ness, nounel·i·gi·bly, adverbnon·el·i·gi·ble, adjective

Words nearby eligible

eliche, elicit, elicitation, elicited, elide, eligible, eligible paper, Elihu, Elijah, Elijah Muhammad, Elijah's chair

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eligible in a sentence

The proposal also would raise ACA insurance subsidies for consumers already eligible for that help.
Affordable Care Act subsidies likely to increase under congressional plan|Amy Goldstein|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
And, for those more reliant on phrase match, be sure to keep an eye on your keywords as the change occurs since additional queries will be eligible to match, and make use of negative keywords to ensure that your budget is being used effectively.
Google might have to subsidize journalism, but not like this…|George Nguyen|February 10, 2021|Search Engine Land
If the players test negative, they could be eligible to face the Cavaliers, unless they are subject to punishment from UNC’s basketball program or university administrators.
UNC-Miami postponed after two Tar Heels are shown celebrating Duke win without masks|Des Bieler|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Anything over that would not be eligible, because they are the people who really are hurting right now and need the help the most.
House Democrats reject plan to sharply curtail $1,400 stimulus payments in coronavirus relief package|Jeff Stein, Erica Werner|February 9, 2021|Washington Post

They have missed the past eight games but are eligible to play as early as Tuesday night when Washington hosts the Philadelphia Flyers.
Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ilya Samsonov return to practice after bouts with the coronavirus|Samantha Pell|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
If you answered seven or more of these correctly, you are eligible for a lifetime supply of Metamucil.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At-home caretakers are eligible for Medicaid waivers, which allow benefits regardless of income.
Medicaid Will Give You Money for At-Home Care, but You Might Wait Years|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jones ruled for Ray and he is now back in business, eligible to sign with any NFL club.
The $44 Million Teflon Don of the NFL|Mike Barnicle|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Expect many of those who are eligible for relief under the new program to say, “Thanks but no thanks” and go on their way.
Will 5 Million Undocumented Immigrants Take Obama's Tough Love Immigration Deal?|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They profoundly question whether these programs will be available to them when they become eligible.
This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art|Scott Porch|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Seine and Aulbe rivers render the situation of this domain as beautiful as it is strong and eligible for defense.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Ever since her unexpected good fortune, Mr. Rushmere had secretly contemplated Miss Watling as a very eligible wife for his son.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
It will be used in court proceedings, and no person will be eligible for Government service who does not know that language.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Upon whom does the country look, as the most eligible of her favored sons?
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany
I should have taken out my revenge by marrying the first eligible man that offered himself.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for eligible

eligible

/ (ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl) /

adjective

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

desirable and worthy of being chosen, esp as a spousean eligible young man

Derived forms of eligible

eligibility, nouneligibly, adverb

Word Origin for eligible

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

eligible

OTHER WORDS FOR eligible

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Origin of eligible

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How to use eligible in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for eligible

Derived forms of eligible

Word Origin for eligible