Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not meeting the necessary requirements or qualifications: Describes a person or thing that does not satisfy the official rules, conditions, or standards needed for a particular position, benefit, or activity.
   • Legally or officially disqualified: Refers to being barred from participation, selection, or receipt of something due to a specific regulation or statute.

Usage

The word "ineligible" is used to describe a status of disqualification. It is often followed by the preposition "for" when stating what one is disqualified from, or "to" when followed by a verb. - He was ineligible for the scholarship because his grades were too low. - Non-citizens are ineligible to vote in national elections.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The player was ruled ineligible for the tournament due to a doping violation.
  • This income level makes the family ineligible for government housing assistance.
  • The application was rejected because the candidate was ineligible for the visa.

Advanced Usage

• "ineligible" in legal/contractual contexts: Often used in formal documents, laws, or rules to specify exclusions.
  • The clause states that part-time employees are ineligible to participate in the stock option plan.
• "deemed ineligible": A common passive construction indicating an official judgment of disqualification.
  • After the review, the proposal was deemed ineligible for funding.

Variants and Related Words

• Ineligibility (noun): The state or condition of being ineligible.
  • The ineligibility of the candidate was confirmed by the committee.

Synonyms

• Disqualified: Officially ruled out from participation.
• Unqualified: Lacking the necessary skills or qualifications.
• Unfit: Not suitable or appropriate.

Antonyms

• Eligible: Having the right to do or obtain something; satisfying the appropriate conditions.
• Qualified: Officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job; competent.

Adjective

1. prohibited by official rules
   • an ineligible pass receiver
2. not eligible
   • ineligible to vote
   • ineligible for retirement benefits