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
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.