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

The prime minister urged people who were eligible for pension credit to take it up, saying it would guarantee they continued to receive the payment.

From BBC

Immigrants from other countries, including El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, have been eligible for TPS for more than 20 years, a fact that fuels program critics' concerns that the status can run indefinitely.

From Salon

Two transfers still need to become eligible and point guard Aliyahna Morris was held out while nursing an injury.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith was convicted of murder, but under South Carolina law at the time she was eligible for a parole hearing every two years after serving 30 years in prison.

From BBC

He made it through 10 weeks of report cards academically eligible.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable