adjective
unqualified
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 notesIn 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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Etymology
From un- + qualified.