eligible

American  

[el-i-juh-buhl] / ˈɛl ɪ dʒə bəl /

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.

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noun

1. a person or thing that is eligible.

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

eligible British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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”; e- ¹, -ible

Example Sentences

Nacua is one of four Rams 2023 draft picks eligible for an extension this offseason.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

WGA West confirmed employees who receive health coverage on a month-to-month basis are no longer eligible for it as of April 1.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The 17-year-old was born in Singapore to an English father and a Japanese mother, and is eligible to represent both nations, as well as Portugal.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

As of March 6, less than 10% of eligible importers had done so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

"As you know, all eligible young people are required by law to join the Hitler Youth," Herr Asmus says crisply.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable