eligible
Eligible (adj) means meeting the requirements needed to take part in, apply for, or receive something. Example: “You must be over 18 to be eligible to vote.”
How to Use Eligible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQualified or allowed to do, receive, or apply for something.
Word Forms
more eligible comparative, eligibles plural, most eligible superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
You must be over 18 to be _____ to vote.
Etymology
From Latin ēligō ("to select, choose").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for eligible
See all rhymes for eligible →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “eligible” mean?
The word “eligible” means meeting the requirements needed to take part in, apply for, or receive something. In plain terms, qualified or allowed to do, receive, or apply for something.
How do you pronounce “eligible”?
“Eligible” is pronounced EHL-ih-jih-buhl (/ˈɛl.ə.d͡ʒə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “eligible” in a sentence?
Here is “eligible” used in a sentence: “You must be over 18 to be eligible to vote.”
What part of speech is “eligible”?
“Eligible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “eligible” come from?
The word “eligible” comes from Latin. From Latin ēligō ("to select, choose").
Is “eligible” a common word?
“Eligible” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “eligible” have?
“Eligible” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: meeting the requirements needed to take part in, apply for, or receive something.
What is the difference between 'eligible' and 'qualified'?
'Eligible' means meeting the basic requirements to take part in, apply for, or receive something, while 'qualified' means having the skills or training to do it well. You can be eligible to apply for a role without being qualified to perform it.
What preposition should follow 'eligible'?
'Eligible' is normally followed by 'for' before a noun (eligible for a refund) or by 'to' before a verb (eligible to vote). Forms such as 'eligible of' are incorrect.
What is the difference between 'eligible' and 'illegible'?
Despite sounding similar, the two words are unrelated. 'Eligible' means meeting the requirements for something, while 'illegible' means impossible or very hard to read, as with unclear handwriting.