eligible
EHL-ih-jih-buhl
Eligible (adj) means meeting the requirements needed to take part in, apply for, or receive something. Example: “Only members who have paid their fees are eligible to take part in the quiz.”
adj
1
Meeting the requirements needed to take part in, apply for, or receive something.
"Only members who have paid their fees are eligible to take part in the quiz."
"You must be over 18 to be eligible to vote."
"She wasn't eligible for the discount because she'd already used one that month."
2
Considered a good or desirable candidate for marriage.
"Her aunt kept hoping to find an eligible young man for her."
"The village gossips called him the most eligible widower for miles around."
"He was once considered the most eligible bachelor in town."
How to use eligible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQualified or allowed to do, receive, or apply for something.
Common pairings
eligible for
eligible voter
eligible bachelor
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Word forms
- Plural
- eligibles
- Comparative
- more eligible
- Superlative
- most eligible
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only members who have paid their fees are _____ to take part in the quiz.
Etymology
From Latin ēligō ("to select, choose").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
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