qualified
Officially recognized as practitioners of a particular profession or at a certain level; meeting the proper standards and requirements; restricted or limited.
Qualified has two very different meanings. The common meaning is 'having the necessary credentials or skills.' The second, highly formal meaning is 'limited, restricted, or conditional' (e.g., 'qualified approval' means approval with certain conditions or reservations).
Word relationships
- certified: Certified means possessing an official document or certificate proving competence, whereas qualified is broader and can refer to having the necessary experience and skills even without a formal certificate.
- conditional: Conditional is a synonym for the second sense of qualified, meaning dependent on certain terms or limitations.
- unqualified: Unqualified can mean lacking credentials, or, in its second sense, absolute and unconditional (e.g., 'unqualified success').
- incompetent: Incompetent means completely lacking the necessary skills or effective capability to perform a task.
Commonly confused with
- qualitative: Qualitative refers to the quality or character of something rather than its quantity, whereas qualified refers to credentials, competence, or limitations.
Word family
- qualify (verb): To be entitled to a particular benefit or privilege by fulfilling a necessary condition.
- qualification (noun): A quality, accomplishment, or credential that makes someone suitable for a job or activity.
Collocations
- highly qualified
- qualified professional
- qualified approval
- fully qualified
Idioms & expressions
- fit the bill
- up to scratch
Example sentences
- "Only qualified applicants with a valid medical license will be considered for the residency program." A job posting requirement.
- "I must give my qualified support to this bill, as it requires several amendments before it can be fully endorsed." A political speech expressing cautious, conditional support.
Memory hook
Think of 'QUALified' as someone who has the 'QUALities' and 'QUALifications' required to do a job safely and legally. Qualified = Has the qualities and credentials.
When not to use
When using 'qualified' in academic or analytical writing, make sure the context clearly indicates whether you mean 'competent' or 'limited' to avoid confusing the reader.
Fun facts
- In auditing, a 'qualified opinion' is a formal statement by an auditor that a company's financial records are mostly accurate, but with some specific, limited exceptions or reservations.
Related words
Explore more words
proficient, profession, proficiency, certification, approbation, competency
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