qualified

Everyday

1. Qualified means having passed the exams or training needed to do a job, like a qualified nurse. tree →
2. Qualified means having the right skills or knowledge to do something. tree →
3. In sport, qualified means having won a place in the next part of a competition. tree →
4. (formal) A qualified answer or agreement is limited, not complete, as in "qualified approval". tree →

In the lessons

In adult life you need to be qualified to be a teacher, doctor, electrician or swimming coach; in safety, only qualified people should fix gas or electrics. In sport, a team "has qualified for the final". In formal writing, "a qualified success" means only partly successful. Phrases: "fully qualified", "qualified for", "highly qualified", "a qualified success".

Examples

• My mum is a qualified nurse. tree →
• Only a qualified electrician should fix the wiring. tree →
• Ireland qualified for the World Cup. tree →
• The lifeguard is qualified in first aid. tree →
• I'm not qualified to give advice about cars! tree →
• Our team qualified for the final by winning three games. tree →
• (formal) The school trip was only a qualified success because it rained all day. tree →

Note

Past of qualify: qualified (y → ied). Opposite: unqualified. "Qualified for" a competition or job; "qualified as" a nurse. "Qualified" is about having passed training; "qualifications" are the certificates and exams themselves.