disqualify
dis-KWOL-uh-fye
/dɪsˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/
To pronounce someone ineligible for an office, activity, or competition because of an offense or infringement of the rules.
A severe action that completely removes a participant's eligibility, often erasing their previous achievements in that event.
The story behind the word. The word combines the prefix 'dis-' (meaning to undo or reverse) with 'qualify' (which originally meant to describe or characterize something). To disqualify someone is to strip away their 'quality' or fitness to participate.
Word relationships
- exclude: Exclude is a general term for keeping someone out, while disqualify specifically implies a formal ruling based on rules or standards.
- ban: Ban implies a long-term or permanent prohibition, whereas disqualify can refer to a single event or race.
- qualify: Qualify means to meet the necessary standards or conditions to participate.
Commonly confused with
- suspend: Suspend means to temporarily stop someone from participating, while disqualify usually applies to a specific race or event's final results.
Word family
- disqualification (noun): The act of disqualifying or state of being disqualified.
- qualified (adjective): Meeting the proper standards or requirements.
Collocations
- disqualify a competitor
- automatically disqualify
- threaten to disqualify
Example sentences
- "The judges had no choice but to disqualify the runner for stepping out of her lane." Track and field rules
- "Failing the drug test will immediately disqualify any athlete from the Olympic Games." Doping violations
Memory hook
If you 'dis' the rules, they will 'qualify' you out of the game. Disrespecting rules leads to exclusion.
When not to use
Do not use for temporary suspensions or minor penalties where the player is allowed to return later in the game.
Fun facts
- In the 1904 Olympic marathon, the first-place finisher was disqualified after it was discovered he had ridden in a car for 11 miles of the race.
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