noun

qualification

kwah-lih-fih-KAY-shun/ˌkwɑːlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

Suitability established by meeting a requirement.

The electrician's certificate establishes a qualification for skilled electrical work.

An East Asian electrician presents a blank certification card beside neatly organized tools.

Etymology

qualiLatinof what sort

+ficLatinto make

+ationLatinact or result

The roots combine the ideas of “what sort” and “make”: to give someone a certain quality. Through the sense of making someone fit for a role, qualification came to name a relevant accomplishment or necessary precondition.

In context

Judged Feelings18:33

he made the first day of his course on time and now has to keep it up for 14 weeks in order to gain a qualification needed to work on the railways

Welfare In Britain "Life On the Dole Ep1

More examples

The employer checks each applicant's qualifications before scheduling an interview.
Experience with spreadsheets is a useful qualification for this job.
The team secures qualification for the tournament with another win.

Forms

qualification · qualifications

qualify verb — To meet requirements for eligibility or suitability.

qualified adjective — Having the required skills or credentials.

Similar words

credential: A credential is documented proof of education, training, or competence.
eligibility: Eligibility is the state of meeting formal entry requirements.
suitability: Suitability is general fitness, without necessarily meeting formal requirements.