eligible
[el-i-juh-buh l]
- 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.
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- a person or thing that is eligible: Among the eligibles, only a few are running for office.
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Origin of eligible
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
likelyqualifiedacceptablesuitableappropriatebecomingdesirablediscretionaryelectivefittedlicensedpreferableprivilegedpropersatisfactoryseemlysuitedtrainedusableemployableExamples from the Web for eligible
Contemporary Examples
If you answered seven or more of these correctly, you are eligible for a lifetime supply of Metamucil.
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 YearsElizabeth Picciuto
December 2, 2014
Jones ruled for Ray and he is now back in business, eligible to sign with any NFL club.
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
In the election of 1860 in which Lincoln won the presidency, 80 percent of eligible voters went to the polls.
Historical Examples
But, O my dear, the single life is by far the most eligible to me: indeed it is.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Women are eligible to membership in this General Conference.
Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 7.Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)
Why, the demand for eligible males is three hundred per cent.
The Fortune HunterLouis Joseph Vance
Of the eligible men there Mr. Cecil Underwood seemed, on enquiry, to be the most eligible.
The Incomplete AmoristE. Nesbit
The question was raised whether, as a prisoner, he was eligible.
BunyanJames Anthony Froude
eligible
- fit, worthy, or qualified, as for an office or function
- desirable and worthy of being chosen, esp as a spousean eligible young man
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for eligible
adj.
early 15c., "fit or proper to be chosen," from Middle French eligible "fit to be chosen" (14c.), from Late Latin eligibilis "that may be chosen," from Latin eligere "choose" (see election). Related: Eligibly.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper