qualify

[kwol-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

qualified, qualifying 

1. to provide with proper or necessary skills, knowledge, credentials, etc.; make competent.

   to qualify oneself for a job.

   Synonyms: equip, prepare, adapt, suit, fit

2. to modify or limit in some way; make less strong or positive.

   to qualify an endorsement.

   Synonyms: restrict, narrow

3. Grammar.,  to modify.

4. to make less violent, severe, or unpleasant; moderate; mitigate.

   Synonyms: diminish, reduce, temper, soften, ameliorate

5. to attribute some quality or qualities to; characterize, call, or name.

   She cannot qualify his attitude as either rational or irrational.

   Synonyms: designate, label

6. to modify or alter the flavor or strength of.

   He qualified his coffee with a few drops of brandy.

7. Law.,  to certify as legally competent.

verb (used without object)

qualified, qualifying 

1. to be fitted or competent for something.

2. to get authority, license, power, etc., as by fulfilling required conditions, taking an oath, etc.

3. Sports.,  to demonstrate the required ability in an initial or preliminary contest.

   He qualified in the trials.

4. to fire a rifle or pistol on a target range for a score high enough to achieve a rating of marksman, sharpshooter, or expert.

5. Military.,  to pass a practical test in gunnery.

6. Law.,  to perform the actions necessary to acquire legal power or capacity.

   By filing a bond and taking an oath he qualified as executor.

qualify

/ ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪ, -ˌkeɪ-, ˈkwɒlɪfɪkətərɪ /

verb

1. to provide or be provided with the abilities or attributes necessary for a task, office, duty, etc

   his degree qualifies him for the job

   he qualifies for the job, but would he do it well?

2. (tr) to make less strong, harsh, or violent; moderate or restrict

3. (tr) to modify or change the strength or flavour of

4. (tr) grammar another word for modify

5. (tr) to attribute a quality to; characterize

6. (intr) to progress to the final stages of a competition, as by winning preliminary contests

Other Word Forms

• qualificatory adjective
• qualifyingly adverb
• misqualify verb
• nonqualifying adjective
• overqualify verb
• prequalify verb
• requalify verb
• superqualify verb
• unqualifying adjective
• unqualifyingly adverb
• unrequalified adjective
• qualifiable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of qualify¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin quālificāre, from Latin quāl(is) “of what sort” + -ificāre -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of qualify¹

C16: from Old French qualifier, from Medieval Latin quālificāre to characterize, from Latin quālis of what kind + facere to make

Synonym Study

See modify.

Example Sentences

These include new work requirements that are a cornerstone of Republican demands, under which certain adults would have to work or engage in qualifying activities to maintain Medicaid benefits.

From Salon

Eight amateurs will qualify through events in each state and territory for the 2026 tournament, while an extra two spots will be up for grabs during the opening week, which starts on Monday, 12 January.

From BBC

But it means many people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illneses, asthma and severe mental illness will no longer qualify.

From BBC

In California, only about a third of 57,987 applications by qualified students to nursing school were accepted in 2022-23 — the most recent data available — according to the state Board of Registered Nursing.

From Los Angeles Times

On the contrary, there are both pull and push factors that have led to highly qualified professionals consistently leaving the country, Mr Baru said, and India has celebrated this trend, rather than arresting it.

From BBC

Related Words

• certify 
• enable 
• entitle 
• meet 
• pass 
• ready 
• score 
• train