Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Eligible
1.
That may be selected; proper or qualified to be chosen; legally qualified to be elected and to hold office.
2.
Worthy to be chosen or selected; suitable; desirable;
as, an
. eligible
situation for a houseThe more
eligible
of the two evils. Burke.
Webster 1828 Edition
Eligible
EL'IGIBLE
,Adj.
1.
Fit to be chosen; worthy of choice, preferable.In deep distress, certainty is more eligible than suspense.
2.
Suitable; proper; desirable; as, the house stands in an eligible situation.3.
Legally qualified to be chosen; as, a man is or is not eligible to an office.Definition 2024
eligible
eligible
See also: éligible
English
Adjective
eligible (comparative more eligible, superlative most eligible)
- allowed to and meeting the necessary conditions required to participate in or be chosen for something
- worthy of being chosen (for marriage)
Usage notes
Used in the phrase eligible bachelor to mean “desirable male”, the corresponding term for a woman is nubile.
Related terms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Translations
meeting the necessary requirements to participate; worthy of being chosen
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Noun
eligible (plural eligibles)
- One who is eligible.
Translations
one who is eligible
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Middle French
Etymology
Borrowing from Latin eligibilis.
Adjective
eligible m, f (plural eligibles)
- choosable; selectable (that one can choose)
References
- (fr) Godefroy, Frédéric, Dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IXe au XVe siècle (1881) (eligible, supplement)