INELIGIBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ineligible mean? 

• INELIGIBLE (adjective)
  The adjective INELIGIBLE has 2 senses:

1. not eligible

2. prohibited by official rules

  Familiarity information: INELIGIBLE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INELIGIBLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not eligible

Context example:

ineligible for retirement benefits

Similar:

disqualified (disqualified by law or rule or provision)

disqualified (barred from competition for violation of rules)

undesirable; unsuitable (not worthy of being chosen (especially as a spouse))

unentitled; unqualified (having no right or entitlement)

Also:

unqualified (not meeting the proper standards and requirements and training)

Antonym:

eligible (qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen)

Derivation:

ineligibility (the quality or state of being ineligible)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Prohibited by official rules

Context example:

an ineligible pass receiver

Similar:

illegal (prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules)

Domain category:

athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)

Derivation:

ineligibility (the quality or state of being ineligible)

 Context examples 

He would have let the house, but could find no tenant, in consequence of its ineligible and insalubrious site.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I am glad to find, however, from what you say, that he is a respectable young man, and one whose acquaintance will not be ineligible.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Have you thought about him? He is so ineligible in every way, you know, and suppose he should come to love you?

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Mrs. Dashwood was prudent enough to remain at the cottage, without attempting a removal to Delaford; and fortunately for Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, when Marianne was taken from them, Margaret had reached an age highly suitable for dancing, and not very ineligible for being supposed to have a lover.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)