eligible

[ el-i-juh-buhl ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈeligibly, adverb
• ˌeligiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• eli·gi·bili·ty eli·gi·ble·ness noun
• eli·gi·bly adverb
• non·eli·gi·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eligible¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eligible¹

C15: from Late Latin ēligibilis able to be chosen, from ēligere to elect

Example Sentences

Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to verify that they were eligible, and had made their decision voluntarily.

From BBC

Projects that are 100% affordable would be eligible for incentives across a wider swath of the city.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a line of spending which is “mandatory”, meaning it must be spent by law on those eligible.

From BBC

To find eligible singles, Golden hit the L.A. streets and worked with “America’s Got Talent” casting producer Naela Durrani for “more curated” local options.

From Los Angeles Times

The bill, published on Monday, would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their life if two doctors and a High Court judge verify they are eligible and have made their decision voluntarily.

From BBC

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable