verb
disqualify
dihs-KWO-lih-feye
verb
1
To officially rule someone ineligible to take part in or win something, often because of a rule violation.
"The runner was disqualified for a false start."
"A criminal record can disqualify an applicant from certain jobs."
How to Use Disqualify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo rule someone out because they broke a rule or don't meet the requirements.
Common pairings
disqualify a candidate
disqualified from
automatically disqualify
Word Forms
disqualified past tense, disqualifies singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “disqualify”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
A criminal record can _____ an applicant from certain jobs.
Etymology
From dis- + qualify, meaning to remove someone's previously granted qualification or eligibility.