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qualify Definition

quali·fy (kwôl′ə fī′, kwäl′-)

transitive verb -·fied′, -·fy′·ing

  1. to describe by giving the qualities or characteristics of
  2. to make fit for an office, occupation, exercise of a right, etc.
  3. to make legally capable; give a specific right to; license
  4. to modify; restrict; limit; make less positive to qualify one's approval
  5. to moderate; soften to qualify a punishment
  6. to change the strength or flavor of (a liquid, etc.)
  7. Gram. to limit or modify the meaning of (a word or group of words)

Etymology: Fr qualifier < ML qualificare < L qualis, of what kind (see quale) + facere, to make, do

intransitive verb

to be or become qualified, as by meeting requirements

qualify Related Forms

qual′i·fi′·able adjective qual′i·fy′·ingly adverb

qualify Synonyms

qualify

v.

  1. To limit

    reduce, restrain, temper; see change 1, restrict 2.

  2. To fulfill requirements

    fit, suit, pass, be eligible, be equipped, be capacitated, have the requisites, meet the demands, measure up, meet the specifications, pass muster, make the grade*, fill the bill*.

    Antonyms fail*, become unfit, be unsuited.

qualify Usage Examples

Object

  • accountant: He is a fully qualified accountant and in addition is Honorary Treasurer of the brain injury charity Headway.
  • instructor: From total beginner, to experts who want to learn pro-level tricks, Launch Kiteboarding has qualified instructors for your skill level.
  • disclosure: The Act's protection is automatically invoked when a qualifying disclosure is made in the way the Act describes.
  • teacher: A target of 1 full time qualified teacher per Children's Center in place by March 2006 has been set.
  • round: Holding qualifying rounds lasted a record campaigns in the to the quot.
  • session: Justin was 6th fastest in Friday's first qualifying session for the Grand Prix of Portland.

Preposition: on

row: With this ride, I could have qualified on the front row for yesterday's race.

Preposition: as

  • solicitor: Angus obtained a history degree at Queen Mary College, London and qualified as a solicitor in 1981.
  • accountant: Michael graduated with Honors in Law from Cambridge in 1966 and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1969.
  • barrister: All our advisors have a specialist degree as minimum, some are qualified as barristers, others are solicitors.
  • physiotherapist: This course is not suitable for people who have already qualified as a physiotherapist and are looking to do an MSc course to specialize.
  • prescriber: Forty-one, mostly health visitors and district nurses, were qualified as nurse prescribers.

Modifying Another Word

suitably: You should always consult a suitably qualified lawyer about any specific legal matter.

Infinitive complement

teach: Primary school teachers in the Netherlands are qualified to teach in special schools.

Preposition: for

  • exemption: Strictly speaking a charity must apply its income for charitable purposes in order to qualify for exemption from corporation tax on that income.
  • relief: Providing the contribution limits above are not exceeded, the contributions will qualify for full tax relief.
  • discount: Party Bookings of 10 or more qualify for a 10 % discount, subject to availability.
  • allowance: The RBS should therefore only seek clarification in respect of any accepted items which clearly do not qualify for allowances.
  • play-off: The top six teams in Division Two qualify for the promotion play-offs.
  • grant: Various areas of the UK also qualify for European development grants including South Wales, Scotland and North East England.