Eligible - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT eligible /ˈɛlədʒəbəl/ /ˈɛlɪdʒɛbəl/ IPA guide

Other forms: eligibly

If you get good grades, volunteer at the hospital, play varsity sports, and write for your school paper, you might be eligible for a college scholarship.

If you’re eligible for something, you’re either qualified for it or allowed to do it. You’re eligible for unemployment benefits if you’ve recently been laid off, but not if you've never had a job in the first place. You may not be eligible to enter a sweepstakes if you work for the company giving away the money. Neither your dog nor your friend from Australia is eligible to run for president of the United States, but you might be!

Definitions of eligible

adjective qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen “eligible to run for office” “eligible for retirement benefits” “an eligible bachelor” synonyms: bailable eligible for bail desirable, suitable, worthy worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse entitled qualified for by right according to law in line awaiting something; especially something due legal allowed by official rules pensionable entitled to receive a pension qualified meeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task see moresee less antonyms: ineligible not eligible disqualified disqualified by law or rule or provision disqualified barred from competition for violation of rules undesirable, unsuitable not worthy of being chosen (especially as a spouse) unentitled, unqualified having no right or entitlement unqualified not meeting the proper standards and requirements and training show more antonyms...

Pronunciation US /ˈɛlədʒəbəl/ UK /ˈɛlɪdʒɛbəl/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing eligible

"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7

In this epic poem, clever Odysseus attempts to find his way home after the end of the Trojan War. Learn these words from the translation by Robert Fitzgerald. Here are links to our lists for the book: Books 1–7, Books 8–13, Books 14–18, Books 19–24

Tangerine Edward Bloor

Soccer goalie Paul Fisher uncovers dark family secrets when he moves to the strange town of Tangerine, Florida.

Vocabulary from the Constitution of the United States

The Constitution is, quite simply, the basis of all American democracy. The document details what the branches of government must do, are entitled to do, and what they cannot do. Abraham Lincoln said: "Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." In addition to cherishing the Constitution as the tangible basis of all our rights and laws, there is always a lot of controversy in political circles about what is and isn't "constitutional," so it is important to be familiar with what the actual document says to be able to evaluate those claims. The entire document can be read here.

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