Dictionary.com

eligible

[ el-i-juh-buhl ]
/ ĖˆÉ›l ÉŖ dŹ’É™ bəl /
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of eligible

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French or directly from Late Latin ēligibilis, equivalent to Latin ē- ā€œout of, fromā€ + lig- (combining form of leg-, stem of legere ā€œto choose, selectā€) + -bilis ā€œcapable of, susceptible of, tending toā€; see e-1, -ible

OTHER WORDS FROM eligible

elĀ·iĀ·giĀ·bilĀ·iĀ·ty, elĀ·iĀ·giĀ·bleĀ·ness, nounelĀ·iĀ·giĀ·bly, adverbnonĀ·elĀ·iĀ·giĀ·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eligible in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for eligible

eligible
/ (ĖˆÉ›lÉŖdŹ’É™bəl) /

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 Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK