qualify

/'kwɔlifai/

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The word "qualify" is a verb that means to make something fit for a particular purpose or to meet certain conditions. Let's break it down step by step:

Basic Meaning

1. To Make Fit or Prepared: When you qualify for something, it means you have the necessary skills or knowledge to do it.

   • Example: "Her education qualifies her for this job." This means she has the right education to do this job.

2. To Specify Conditions: Sometimes, "qualify" means to add specific requirements or conditions to something, like a contract or agreement.

   • Example: "The contract stipulates that the work must be finished by April." In this case, you can say the contract qualifies the conditions of the work.

Advanced Usage

1. To Describe or Portray: "Qualify" can also mean to describe something in a detailed way.
   • Example: "You can qualify his behavior as rude." This means you are describing his behavior in a particular way.

Word Variants

• Qualifier (noun): A word or phrase that limits or modifies the meaning of another word (e.g., "very" in "very tall").
• Qualified (adjective): Describes someone who has the necessary skills or education (e.g., "She is a qualified teacher.").

Different Meanings

1. To Prove Capable or Fit: It can mean showing that you are able to do something.

   • Example: "He qualified for the finals after running a great race."

2. To Limit a Statement: When you qualify a statement, you make it less absolute or more specific.

   • Example: "I would qualify my opinion by saying that it depends on the situation."

Synonyms

• Meet requirements: fulfill, satisfy
• Modify: limit, specify
• Prepare: equip, enable

Idioms

While "qualify" doesn’t have direct idioms, it can be used in phrases like: - "Qualify for a position": To meet the requirements needed for a job or role.

Phrasal Verbs

While "qualify" itself doesn’t commonly appear in phrasal verbs, you might see it used in contexts like: - "Qualify as": To be recognized as something based on certain criteria. - Example: "He qualifies as an expert in his field."

Usage Instructions

• Use "qualify" when discussing skills, education, or requirements.
• Remember that it can either mean to meet a requirement or to specify details about something.

Academic

Verb

1. add a modifier to a constituent
2. describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
   • You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist
   • This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover
3. specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
   • The will stipulates that she can live in the house for the rest of her life
   • The contract stipulates the dates of the payments
4. make fit or prepared
   • Your education qualifies you for this job
5. make more specific
   • qualify these remarks
6. pronounce fit or able
   • She was qualified to run the marathon
   • They nurses were qualified to administer the injections
7. prove capable or fit; meet requirements

Synonyms

• modify
• characterize
• characterise
• stipulate
• condition
• specify
• dispose
• restrict
• measure up