qualifier

[kwol-uh-fahy-er]

See more synonyms for qualifier on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person or thing that qualifies.
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.

Origin of qualifier

First recorded in 1555–65; qualify + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for qualifier

dependent, attribute, accessory, adjunct, modifier, identifier, qualifier, adnoun, limiter, additional, descriptive, attributive

Examples from the Web for qualifier

Contemporary Examples of qualifier

Emily added that she regrets using the qualifier of "absolutely" (which we should have caught on the editing end).
The Tortuous History Of The Greta Berlin Tweet Controversy
Ali Gharib
October 7, 2012
The council says its goal is ultimately that the qualifier “women” be dropped from its name.
Global Women’s Group Makes a Move
Jimmy So
September 20, 2011

Historical Examples of qualifier

Some are identified as dictatorships of some sort, which almost none would accept as a qualifier.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
By this qualifier we wish it understood that mind, like body, has its accidental or acquired qualities.
The Christian Foundation, Or, Scientific and Religious Journal,
Various
Literacy as such was registered rather late as a qualifier of the warrior.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for qualifier

qualifier

noun

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
a preliminary heat or contest
grammar another word for modifier (def. 1)

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

Word Origin and History for qualifier

1560s, agent noun from qualify. Grammatical sense is from 1580s.