qualified

1 of 2

adjective

qual·​i·​fied ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd How to pronounce qualified (audio)
Synonyms of qualifiednext
1
a
: fitted (as by training or experience) for a given purpose : competent
b
: having complied with the specific requirements or precedent conditions (as for an office or employment) : eligible
2
: limited or modified in some way
qualified approval
qualifiedly
ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī(-ə)d-lē How to pronounce qualified (audio)
adverb

qualified

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of qualify

Synonyms of qualified

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Adjective

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Examples of qualified in a Sentence

Adjective She is highly qualified for the job. I'm not qualified to give you advice about what you should do. She gave a qualified yes to the question. The plan was given qualified approval.
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Adjective
Neither Sidney nor Patrick Gibson was qualified to operate it in those conditions. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 Get assistance with heating bills The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps qualified households with one-time financial assistance for heating and electricity bills, as well as emergency aid to prevent shut-offs. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Grace Griffin qualified for Michigan's Rx Kids program, which provides eligible families in certain communities with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 a month for the baby's first six months or year of life. — Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 Families earning up to 450% of the federal poverty guidelines—about $135,000 for a family of four at the time—could receive full scholarships, while those earning more qualified for smaller awards. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for qualified

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1558, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of qualified was in 1558

Phrases Containing qualified

Rhymes for qualified

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Browse Nearby Words

qualificatory
qualified
qualified fee
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Cite this Entry

“Qualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qualified. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

qualified

adjective
qual·​i·​fied ˈkwäl-ə-ˌfīd How to pronounce qualified (audio)
1
: having the necessary qualifications : fitted
2
: limited in some way
a qualified yes to the question

Legal Definition

qualified

adjective
qual·​i·​fied ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd How to pronounce qualified (audio)
1
: fitted (as by training or experience) for a given purpose or condition
2
a
: being in compliance or accordance with specific requirements or conditions
a qualified voter
b
: eligible under applicable requirements for favorable tax treatment (as exemption of funds from taxation until retirement)
a qualified pension plan
3
: limited or modified in some way : less than absolute
qualifiedly
-ˌfī-əd-lē, -ˌfīd-lē How to pronounce qualified (audio)
adverb
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