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

Shop around, and ask: Is the property eligible for a mortgage backed by the U.S.

Read more on MarketWatch

Next year, that total will rise to $72,000, with those eligible for catch up contributions able to put in up to $11,250 more, depending on their age.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Fraser, of Beckton, east London, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and may be eligible for immediate release due to time spent on electronic curfew.

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At least one board member was adamant that the departing CEO should be eligible to receive the bulk of his compensation package, people familiar with the discussion said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For the petition to proceed, 10% of eligible constituency voters need to back it.

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Related Words

• acceptable 
• likely 
• qualified 
• suitable