Unqualified — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd/ un·qual·i·fied

Meaning & Definition of Unqualified

Unqualified (adjective)

  1. not fit, not having requisite qualifications
  2. not modified or restricted by reservations, complete

Unqualified (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having no exceptions or restrictions

    "the new play is an unqualified success"

    similar: absolute, all-out, arrant, blank, blooming (chiefly British), bodacious (Southern & Midland), categorical, clean, complete, consummate, crashing, damn, damned, dead, deadly, definite, downright, dreadful, fair, flat, flat-out, out-and-out, outright, perfect, plumb, profound, pure, rank, regular, sheer, simple, stark, stone, straight-out, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, unadulterated, unalloyed, unconditional, unmitigated, utter, very
    related: authentic, classic, genuine, real, veritable, constant, endless, eternal, perpetual, undying, unremitting, extreme, unrestricted, confirmed, habitual, hopeless, inveterate, extraordinary, frightful, horrible, huge, main, superlative, supreme, surpassing, terrible, terrific
    near: doubtful, dubious, equivocal, qualified, questionable, restricted, uncertain

  2. lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job

    "if we hire an unqualified candidate, we'll just be wasting our time"

    similar: inapt, incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfit, unfitted, unskilled, unskillful
    related: ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, amateurish, callow, dilettantish, green, inexperienced, raw, unprofessional, unequipped, unprepared, untrained, useless, worthless, disqualified, ineligible, wanting
    opposite: able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent
    near: prepared, ready, trained, overqualified, accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, virtuoso, all-around, protean, versatile

  3. not limited or specialized in application or purpose

    "an unqualified denial of the charges"

    similar: all-around, all-purpose, catholic, general, general-purpose, unlimited, unrestricted, unspecialized
    related: mixed-use, multipurpose, broad, wide, nonspecific, unspecified, vague
    opposite: limited, restricted, specialized, technical
    near: bounded, circumscribed, confined, definite, demarcated, determinate, finite, qualified, dedicated, selective

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unqualified

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unqualified:

Chiefly British: blooming
Southern & Midland: bodacious
absolute, all-out, arrant, blank, categorical, clean, complete, consummate, crashing, damn, damned, dead, deadly, definite, downright, dreadful, fair, flat, flat-out, out-and-out, outright, perfect, plumb, profound, pure, rank, regular, sheer, simple, stark, stone, straight-out, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, unadulterated, unalloyed, unconditional, unmitigated, utter

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unqualified

Words with the opposite meaning of Unqualified:

able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent, limited, restricted, specialized, technical

Related Words for Unqualified

authentic, classic, genuine, real, veritable, constant, endless, eternal, perpetual, undying, unremitting, extreme, confirmed, habitual, hopeless, inveterate, extraordinary, frightful, horrible, huge, main, superlative, supreme, surpassing, terrible, terrific, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, amateurish

Near Antonyms of Unqualified

doubtful, dubious, equivocal, questionable, uncertain, prepared, ready, trained, overqualified, accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, virtuoso, all-around, protean, versatile, bounded, circumscribed, confined, definite, demarcated, determinate, finite, dedicated

Word Forms of Unqualified

Derived words: unqualifiedly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Unqualified

First known use: 1556

Frequently Asked Questions about Unqualified

What does "Unqualified" mean?

"Unqualified" means not fit, not having requisite qualifications. As an adjective, it is defined as: not fit, not having requisite qualifications. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unqualified"?

Other words for "Unqualified" include absolute, all-out, arrant, blank, blooming, bodacious, categorical and clean. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unqualified" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unqualified"?

There are 112 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unqualified". Common alternatives include absolute, all-out, arrant, blank, blooming, bodacious, categorical, clean, complete and consummate.

What is the opposite of "Unqualified"?

Antonyms of "Unqualified" include able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled and skillful. Near antonyms include doubtful, dubious, equivocal and questionable.

How do you use "Unqualified" in a sentence?

Examples of "Unqualified" in a sentence: "the new play is an unqualified success"; "if we hire an unqualified candidate, we'll just be wasting our time"; "an unqualified denial of the charges".

Is "Unqualified" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Unqualified" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Unqualified"?

"Unqualified" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd/ and divided into syllables as un·qual·i·fied.

What is the origin of the word "Unqualified"?

First known use: 1556.