adjective
qualified
Having the required skills or credentials, or subject to limitations.
The clinic hires only qualified nurses to care for patients.
Etymology
Qualify can mean to establish suitability or to limit a claim. The participial adjective preserves both outcomes: meeting conditions or being subject to them.
More examples
- She is qualified to teach high school biology.
- The board gives qualified approval, pending a final safety inspection.
- The launch is a qualified success, despite several technical problems.
Forms
qualified · more qualified · most qualified
qualify verb — Meet requirements or add limiting conditions.
qualification noun — A required credential or a limitation.
Similar words
- competent
- Emphasizes practical ability rather than formal credentials or official requirements.
- eligible
- Meets entry requirements, which may not involve practical skills.
- conditional
- Depends on specific conditions rather than expressing a general reservation.