ineligible

adjective

in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈne-lə-jə-bəl 

: not eligible: such as

a

: not qualified for an office or position

b

: not permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass

an ineligible receiver

ineligibility

(ˌ)i-ˌne-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

ineligible noun

Examples of ineligible in a Sentence

Previously ineligible patients may now be able to participate in the study.

They are ineligible for a loan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, people convicted of three or more violent crimes would be ineligible for parole, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, part of the USA TODAY Network. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024

Home equity sharing may appeal to owners who are ineligible for other options because of bad credit or a high debt-to-income ratio. —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024

Dončić, diagnosed with a left calf strain, will more than likely be ineligible for MVP, and All-NBA honors as a result of time missed. —Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Groups located in residential zoning areas would be ineligible to join the program. —Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French inéligible, from in- + éligible eligible

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ineligible

adjective

in·​el·​i·​gi·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈel-ə-jə-bəl 

: not qualified to be chosen or used

ineligibility

(ˌ)in-ˌel-ə-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

ineligible noun