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

Head coach Steve Clarke hailed a "good start" to Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign, but warned that they will need to maintain the level of performance that earned an opening draw in Denmark.

From BBC

I need convincing they can compete with Arsenal and Chelsea but I see no reasons why they can't qualify for the Champions League.

From BBC

Stones being ruled out for these World Cup qualifying matches is a blow for Tuchel.

From BBC

England are eighth in the International Cricket Council's one-day standings, which are used to determine qualification - the top eight, plus hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, qualify automatically for the 14-team tournament.

From BBC

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said tough words at half-time brought "the reaction we wanted" as his players delivered Thursday's 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg.

From BBC

Related Words

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