WordVale

qualify

/ˈkwɑːlɪfaɪ/  ·  say it: KWAHL·uh·fy

to add a limiting condition to a statement

In Debate & Persuasion

In more detail

1. (verb) to have the right skills, knowledge, or experience needed for something

2. (verb) to successfully complete a test or competition so you can advance to the next level

3. (verb) to add information that makes a statement less strong or less general

Examples

• 1. She qualifies for the job because she has ten years of experience.
• 2. He qualified for the Olympics after winning the regional championship.
• 3. I loved the movie, but I should qualify that by saying the ending was confusing.

How to use qualify

Qualify is used most commonly in the sense of meeting criteria or advancing in competitions (e.g., 'She qualified for the Olympics'). The third sense—to add limiting or clarifying information to a statement—is more formal and found in academic or professional writing. All three senses are standard and context-dependent.

Common phrases

• qualify for
• qualify as
• qualify to do something
• qualify someone for
• barely qualify
• fully qualify

Synonyms

meet the requirements · be eligible · certify · succeed · modify

Opposites

disqualify · fail

Word family

qualified · qualification · qualifier · qualifying · unqualified

A common mistake

Learners often confuse 'qualify' (meaning to become eligible or certified) with 'qualify' (meaning to modify or limit), leading to unclear statements. Additionally, forgetting the preposition 'for' or 'as' after the verb is common, as in saying 'qualify the exam' instead of 'qualify for the exam.'

Nearby in Debate & Persuasion

advocate, dispute, counter, substantiate, undermine, corroborate

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained