qualification

American  

[kwol-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌkwɒl ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a quality, accomplishment, etc., that fits a person for some function, office, or the like.

2. a circumstance or condition required by law or custom for getting, having, or exercising a right, holding an office, or the like.

3. the act of qualifying; state of being qualified.

4. modification, limitation, or restriction.

   to endorse a plan without qualification.

   Synonyms:

   condition, stipulation, reservation

5. an instance of this.

   He protected his argument with several qualifications.

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qualification British  

/ ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. an official record of achievement awarded on the successful completion of a course of training or passing of an exam

2. an ability, quality, or attribute, esp one that fits a person to perform a particular job or task

   he has no qualifications to be a teacher

3. a condition that modifies or limits; restriction

4. the act of qualifying or state of being qualified

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Other Word Forms

• nonqualification noun
• overqualification noun
• prequalification noun
• requalification noun

Etymology

Origin of qualification

1535–45; < Medieval Latin quālificātiōn- (stem of quālificātiō ), equivalent to quālificāt ( us ) (past participle of quālificāre to qualify ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A qualification is either a condition that must be met or a statement that puts a limit on a claim. Both kinds of qualification are restrictive. You know how there are requirements for jobs? You can call those requirements qualifications. For example, a college degree and certain experiences are qualifications for many jobs: without them, you won't even get a job interview. A qualification is also a type of statement that makes a previous statement more specific. If you said "I'm thirsty!" and then added "Not for root beer, though," your second statement is a qualification. Qualifications add a limit to what's been said.

Example Sentences

“The ramp of Nvidia’s Rubin GPU has been delayed due to issues related to the qualification of HBM4 at SK Hynix and to a lesser extent Micron,” Vinh wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Although the feelgood factor has faded a little after disappointing exits from the Europa League and Coupe de France, they remain fourth in Ligue 1 and firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Public tested its AI agent on eight Series 7 practice exams from the Securities Training Corporation—a qualification test for entry-level brokers—and it passed them all, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Instead, when United resume their league programme against Leeds at Old Trafford on 13 April, they will do so knowing Champions League qualification is within reach.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

One of my favorite memories of the qualification round came during our first rotation, which was the floor exercise.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• accomplishment
• adequacy
• capability
• competence
• eligibility
• experience
• fitness
• quality
• skill
• suitability