eligible
C1Formal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
Having the right to do or obtain something; satisfying the appropriate conditions; qualified.
Suitable or desirable, especially as a marriage partner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies meeting a set of specified requirements or criteria; often used in official, legal, or institutional contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of meeting qualifications or criteria.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to common usage in healthcare ("eligible for benefits") and university admissions contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
eligible for + NOUN PHRASEeligible to + INFINITIVEVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “eligible bachelor”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to employees qualifying for bonuses, promotions, or pension schemes.
Academic
Describes students meeting criteria for scholarships, programmes, or grants.
Everyday
Used for qualifying for discounts, competitions, or government support.
Technical
In law and finance, denotes meeting legal or contractual requirements for benefits, loans, or claims.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- You are eligible for a state pension at 66.
- He was the most eligible bachelor in the county.
American English
- She is eligible for health insurance through her employer.
- Only eligible voters can participate in the primary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is 18, so he is eligible to vote.
- You might be eligible for a tax refund this year.
- Is my old phone eligible for the software update?
- The new policy made thousands more families eligible for housing support.
- After three years of service, employees become eligible for additional shares.
- The stringent criteria meant only a handful of applicants were deemed eligible for the prestigious fellowship.
- Her immigration status rendered her ineligible for federal student aid.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Eli' who is 'gible' (like a giblet) – only if Eli meets the criteria, he gets the giblet. ELI+GIBLE = ELIGIBLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALIFICATIONS ARE A GATE / BARRIER (You must pass through to be eligible).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'элитный' (elite). 'Eligible' is about qualification, not high status.
- Do not translate directly as 'имеющий право' in all contexts; sometimes 'соответствующий критериям' (meeting the criteria) is more accurate.
- The Russian word 'подходящий' (suitable) is broader and less formal.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'eligible' to mean 'illegible' (unreadable).
- Using 'eligible' without 'for' (e.g., 'eligible the grant' instead of 'eligible for the grant').
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'can' or 'allowed' is simpler.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'eligible' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Eligible' focuses on meeting formal, often external, criteria or rules (e.g., age, residency). 'Qualified' emphasises having the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience.
Rarely. The noun form is 'eligibility'. You might see 'an eligible' as a short form for 'an eligible person' (e.g., in matchmaking contexts), but it's not standard.
No. 'Illegible' means unreadable (handwriting). The direct antonym of 'eligible' is 'ineligible'.
Both are correct but followed by different structures. Use 'eligible for + noun' (eligible for benefits). Use 'eligible to + base verb' (eligible to vote).