Eligible Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms eligible American [el-i-juh-buhl] / ˈɛl ɪ dʒə bəl /

    adjective

    1. fit or proper to be chosen; worthy of choice; desirable.

      to marry an eligible bachelor.

      Synonyms: suitable, fitting Antonyms: unacceptable, unsuitable, ineligible

    2. meeting the stipulated requirements, as to participate, compete, or work; qualified.

    3. legally qualified to be elected or appointed to office.

      eligible for the presidency.

    noun

    1. a person or thing that is eligible.

      Among the eligibles, only a few are running for office.

    eligible British / ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl /

    adjective

    1. fit, worthy, or qualified, as for an office or function

    2. desirable and worthy of being chosen, esp as a spouse

      an eligible young man

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    Other Word Forms

    • eligibility noun
    • eligibleness noun
    • eligibly adverb
    • noneligible adjective

    Etymology

    Origin of eligible

    First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French or directly from Late Latin ēligibilis, equivalent to Latin ē- “out of, from” + lig- (combining form of leg-, stem of legere “to choose, select”) + -bilis “capable of, susceptible of, tending to”; e- 1, -ible

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    At the time, she was on Medicaid, which she was eligible for in her state of California.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    The Classic at Damien boys’ basketball tournament allows teams to unveil their transfer students who finally are eligible to play.

    From Los Angeles Times

    The short answer to your first question: No, your wife can’t claim her benefits now and switch to spousal benefits later on if she’s eligible for both when she files for benefits.

    From MarketWatch

    In April, he successfully completed his first competitive race in Winter Park, Colo., which made him eligible to compete in the Winter Paralympics.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    The authority also said it was assessing whether the family was eligible for another council property and it had been "in close contact" with them to explain these succession rules.

    From BBC

    Related Words

    • acceptable
    • likely
    • qualified
    • suitable

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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