Eligible
/ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/
adjectiveB1
Definition
Eligible describes a person or thing that is allowed or qualified to do something or to be chosen for something. It means meeting the necessary rules, age, or other conditions required for a particular opportunity or benefit.
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⚡ See It in Action
Qualified or allowed to participate or receive something
- •She is eligible to vote because she is over 18 years old.
- •Only eligible members can enter the competition.
- •He became eligible for a scholarship after meeting the grade requirements.
Suitable or appropriate for something, often in official or formal situations
- •The house is eligible for renovation grants.
- •This product is eligible for a discount during the sale.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "eligible" like "able," but not just physically able—able because you meet the rules or conditions
- ✓Picture a line of people, and only some have a special ticket that lets them go inside; those with tickets are "eligible"
- ✓It's the feeling when you find out you can join a club because you meet all their rules
- ✓Sounds like "EL-ih-juh-bull" → imagine a bell ringing loudly every time someone qualifies to be chosen
- ✓Think of a student who can enter a contest because they are the right age and have done the homework
- ✓NOT like "willing" (wanting to do something), "eligible" means you CAN do it because you fit the rules
- ✓NOT like "allowed" (permission), "eligible" means you meet the conditions, so permission is possible or likely
- ✓NOT like "qualified" (which often means having skills), "eligible" is more about meeting official rules or requirements
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Qualified: having the necessary skills or experience (Use when focusing on skills rather than meeting formal rules)
- •Allowed: having permission (Use when permission is given, but not necessarily because of meeting specific conditions)
- •Suitable: right or proper for a purpose (Use when talking about being a good fit, less about formal rules)
- •Entitled: having a right to something (Use when emphasizing legal or official rights)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Prefix: none
- •Root: from Latin "eligere" meaning "to choose"
- •Etymology: From Latin "eligibilis," meaning "able to be chosen"
- •Historical development: Entered English in the early 1600s to describe someone who can be chosen or is qualified
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people or things that meet conditions for benefits, participation, or rights
💭 Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of things make a person eligible for different opportunities in your country?
•How does being eligible affect your feelings about trying new things or joining groups?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.You are eligible to vote only if you ___ the legal age requirement.
2.She became eligible for the prize after she ___ all the contest rules.
3.Being eligible means you meet the ___, not just that you want to participate.
4.The student was not eligible because he ___ the minimum grade needed.
5.When someone is eligible, they often receive ___ or special permission.
6.Some jobs require you to be eligible by ___ certain certificates or experience.
7.If you are eligible, it means you can ___ for something important, like a scholarship or a loan.