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adjective

unqualified

Unqualified (adjective) means not having the necessary skills, training, or credentials. Example: “He felt unqualified for the promotion and turned it down.”

adjective
1
Not having the necessary skills, training, or credentials.
"He felt unqualified for the promotion and turned it down."
2
Complete and without restriction or exception.
"The critics gave the film their unqualified praise."

How to use unqualified

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither lacking the right qualifications, or, in the opposite sense, total and unrestricted.

Common mistake

Note the two very different meanings: "unqualified for the job" (not skilled enough) versus "unqualified success" (a total, complete success).

Common pairings
unqualified success unqualified for the role

Word forms

more unqualified comparative, most unqualified superlative

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He felt _____ for the promotion and turned it down.

Etymology

From un- + qualified.

Related words

Rhymes for unqualified

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Frequently asked questions

What does “unqualified” mean?

The word “unqualified” means not having the necessary skills, training, or credentials. In plain terms, either lacking the right qualifications, or, in the opposite sense, total and unrestricted.

How do you use “unqualified” in a sentence?

Here is “unqualified” used in a sentence: “He felt unqualified for the promotion and turned it down.”

What part of speech is “unqualified”?

“Unqualified” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “unqualified” have?

“Unqualified” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not having the necessary skills, training, or credentials.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial