WordGarden.ioqualification
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /kwˌɒlɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
US
- /ˌkwɑləfəˈkeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
a skill, experience, or attribute that makes someone suitable for a job or role
an official certificate, degree, or exam result showing educational or professional attainment
a condition, reservation, or limiting clause that softens or restricts a statement
More meaningsFewer meanings
the process or result of earning a place in a competition or later round
Beyond the definition
A qualification isn't just a certificate on the wall; it's anything that makes someone or something suitable for a particular task or purpose. Think of a chef: their culinary school diploma is one kind, but so are their years of experience and their ability to create great meals under pressure.
They can be formal, like degrees, licenses, or certifications. But they can also be informal, like skills, knowledge, or personal qualities. A job posting might list "required qualifications" as the must-haves and "preferred qualifications" as the nice-to-haves. The word can also point to a limit or condition: if you make a claim with a qualification, you are not saying it without exceptions. In the end, the idea is about meeting the conditions to be seen as capable, eligible, or suitable.
The word "qualification" refers to a quality, condition, skill, or official record that makes someone or something suitable for a specific purpose or role. It is not only about having talent; it is about meeting the standards or conditions that matter in a given situation.
Very often, people use it for formal credentials. A university degree can be a qualification for many professional jobs, a driver's license can be a qualification for operating a vehicle legally, and a medical certification can be a qualification for practicing medicine. These are usually documented and checked through formal study, tests, or assessments. For example: "The job description listed a master's degree as the minimum qualification for the lead researcher role."
However, the word is not limited to official papers. It also includes less formal qualities such as experience, practical knowledge, judgment, or personal traits. A company might want patience, leadership, or clear communication as important qualifications, even if they do not appear on a certificate. In another common use, a qualification is a limit or condition added to a statement. If you say, "The plan should work, with one qualification," you mean there is an important exception or condition that must be kept in mind.
In legal, technical, or official contexts, the word can also refer to conditions, restrictions, or special clauses that narrow the meaning of a rule, right, or statement. In this sense, it does not describe what makes a person fit for a role; it describes what limits or shapes an idea.
Whether you are talking about academic achievements, job requirements, personal strengths, or limits added to a claim, "qualification" always points to some factor that makes meaning more exact. It can show why someone is fit for a purpose, or it can show the condition that keeps a statement from being too broad.
Examples
- 1
Professional requirement
You need the right qualifications to work as a nurse.
- 2
Education
She left school without any formal qualifications.
- 3
Job requirements
The job ad clearly states the minimum qualifications for the role.
- 4
Limited agreement
I agree with your plan, with one qualification: we need more time to test it.
- Phrasewith one qualification
except for one important limit or change
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sports result
The team’s win secured qualification for the final.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- professional qualification
- academic qualification
- minimum qualification
- meet the qualifications
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- qualificationnoun
Forms
- qualificationspluralnoun