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Synonyms

qualified

American  
[kwol-uh-fahyd] / ˈkwɒl əˌfaɪd /

adjective

  1. having the qualities, accomplishments, etc., that fit a person for some function, office, or the like.

    Synonyms:
    fitted, competent, capable, able

  2. having the qualities, accomplishments, etc., required by law or custom for getting, having, or exercising a right, holding an office, or the like.

  3. modified, limited, or restricted in some way.

    a qualified endorsement.
qualified British  
/ ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪd /

adjective

  1. having the abilities, qualities, attributes, etc, necessary to perform a particular job or task

  2. limited, modified, or restricted; not absolute

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • qualifiedly adverb
  • qualifiedness noun
  • quasi-qualified adjective
  • underqualified adjective
  • well-qualified adjective

Etymology

Origin of qualified

First recorded in 1550–60; qualify + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Azzurri, who lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a do-or-die playoff on Tuesday, last qualified in 2014.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Of the 48 teams participating, the three hosts qualified automatically while 43 places were earned via direct qualification from the confederations and two spots were determined by intercontinental play-offs.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

This might be a dawning moment, when the golfing world realises that someone capable of winning a record-equalling 82 PGA Tour titles might not be the best qualified to shape its future.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

If you haven’t signed a specific engagement letter and given that person a look at all your financial records, you can’t really count on them for qualified advice.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

This said that employers had to grant employees unpaid leave while ensuring their job security for an amount of time in the event of qualified family and medical emergencies.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.