qualifier

American  

[kwol-uh-fahy-er] / ˈkwɒl əˌfaɪ ər /

noun

• qualifiers
  plural

1. a person or thing that qualifies.

2. Grammar.

   1. a word that qualifies the meaning of another, as an adjective or adverb; modifier.

   2. an adverb that modifies adjectives or other adverbs and typically expresses degree or intensity, as very, somewhat, or quite.

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qualifier British  

/ ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that qualifies, esp a contestant in a competition who wins a preliminary heat or contest and so earns the right to take part in the next round

2. a preliminary heat or contest

3. grammar another word for modifier

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Usage

What is a qualifier? A qualifier is a person or thing that provides necessary skills or properties, as in The qualifier to enter the race was an ability to run the track three times without stopping. In grammar, a qualifier is a word that modifies another, as with adjectives and adverbs. When someone asks you to hand them the blue book, they are telling you something about the book so you know which one they want. Blue is modifying book. In other words, it’s acting as a qualifier. Example: The qualifier advanced to the next round of the competition.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• qualifiers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of qualifier

First recorded in 1555–65; qualify + -er ¹

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Explanation

If person is a qualifier, they've done well enough at some sport or activity to make it into an important competition. Qualifiers have made it into the big league. When a word, rather than a person or a team, is described as a qualifier, it means that it modifies another word. Grammatical qualifiers are often adjectives. In the sentence "That is a fluffy cat," the word fluffy is a qualifier, attributing a specific quality to the word cat. The root of qualifier is the Latin qualis, "Of what sort?"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

qualifier qualifiers

The Freeride World Tour—an international ski and snowboard competition—has held multiple qualifier events at the region’s Jikepulin resort, known for its powder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

England, who won the trophy in 2019, are in the same group as co-hosts South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and a qualifier.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Oddly, only one playoff qualifier is among the 14 mid-range payrolls of roughly $100 million to $200 million — the Milwaukee Brewers, who achieved baseball’s best record at 103-59 while paying its roster $143.5 million.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

Five years have passed since Raducanu's remarkable US Open triumph, when at the age of 18 she became the first qualifier in the Open era to win a Grand Slam.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

On June 13, Louie made quick work of another Olympic 5,000 qualifier, but the toe injured in training opened up again.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand

After three matches to decide the final two qualifiers, the tournament group stage will open with a repeat of the 2023 final when India and Australia face each other in Cape Town on 7 October.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Here is a look at the injury status and hopeful returns of impact players on playoff qualifiers and contenders:

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

O’Neal said the new league model will expand the field for events from 57 to 75 players, introduce a 54-hole cut and create Monday qualifiers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

One was for a suspension following a red card against Slovenia, while his absence with a hamstring injury was notable in the closing World Cup qualifiers with Slovakia and Luxembourg in November last year.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Just admit it, without any qualifiers: People can be nice.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

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