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How to Use Disqualify: Definition & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：remove from a competition (disqualify)
disqualify
/dɪsˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/
vt.
To officially stop someone from competing because they broke a rule.
remove from a competition
➕
/rɪˈmuːv frəm ə ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən/
vt.
To formally and officially exclude someone from a contest, race, or game, typically as a penalty for breaking a specific rule.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'dis-' (away, apart, deprive of) + 'qualis' (of what kind). Literally, to deprive of qualities.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: DIS-QUALITY-FY. To remove the 'quality' needed for something.
📖 Example
The sprinter was disqualified from the race after two false starts.
The runner was formally excluded from the race for starting incorrectly twice.
🔗 Collocations
disqualify a player – to officially remove a player from a game
disqualify on a technicality – to be excluded due to a minor formal rule violation
face disqualification – to be at risk of being officially removed from a competition
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
disqualification (n.) – the act of disqualifying or the state of being disqualified
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'disqualify' entered English in the 16th century, deriving from Old French 'desqualifier'. Its Latin root 'qualis' relates to 'quality' or 'nature'. Historically, it was used in legal and formal contexts to denote deprivation of status or rights due to lacking essential qualities or violating conditions.
Meaning 2：make ineligible for something (disqualify)
disqualify
/dɪsˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/
vt.
To make someone unsuitable for something because they don't meet the required conditions.
make ineligible for something
➕
/meɪk ɪnˈɛlɪdʒəbl fɔː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
vt.
To render someone unsuitable or unqualified for a particular role, position, benefit, or activity because they fail to meet the necessary criteria or conditions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Lack of a formal teaching certificate could disqualify you from applying for this position at our school.
Not having an official teaching certificate may make you ineligible to apply for this job at our school.
🔗 Collocations
disqualify from a position – to make someone unsuitable for a specific job or role
disqualify on grounds of... – to make ineligible because of a specific reason (e.g., age, residence)
automatically disqualify – to cause ineligibility as an immediate and direct consequence
🔄 Synonyms
invalidate (vt.) – to make something (like a claim or eligibility) no longer acceptable
disentitle (vt.) – to deprive of a right, title, or claim
preclude (vt.) – to prevent from happening or to make impossible in advance
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