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disqualify — to officially prevent someone from taking part in a competition or activity because they have broken rules

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to officially prevent someone from taking part in a competition or activity because they have broken rules

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪsˈkwɑːləˌfaɪ/

Example Sentences

  • The contestant was disqualified for googling answers during the quiz show.
  • His criminal record disqualifies him from becoming a police officer.
  • She was disqualified from the cooking competition for ordering pizza instead of cooking.

disqualify

VERB

[/dɪsˈkwɑːləˌfaɪ/]

to officially prevent someone from taking part in a competition or activity because they have broken rules

a race official in a striped shirt holds up a red flag while pointing directly at a swimmer in the pool. The swimmer looks shocked and disappointed as they realize they have been caught breaking the rules. The official's stern expression and decisive gesture shows they are removing the swimmer from the competition. Other swimmers continue racing in the background while spectators watch the dramatic moment unfold. The pool deck official checks a rule book while shaking their head disapprovingly.  someone being officially prevented from continuing in the competition because they broke the rules
💡 Concept

a race official in a striped shirt holds up a red flag while pointing directly at a swimmer in the pool. The swimmer looks shocked and disappointed as they realize they have been caught breaking the rules. The official's stern expression and decisive gesture shows they are removing the swimmer from the competition. Other swimmers continue racing in the background while spectators watch the dramatic moment unfold. The pool deck official checks a rule book while shaking their head disapprovingly. someone being officially prevented from continuing in the competition because they broke the rules

Clarify the rules to qualify, or face disqualify!
🎵 Rhyme

Clarify the rules to qualify, or face disqualify!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪsˈkwɑːləˌfaɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪsˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixdis--
Rootqualify

Origin

Disqualify derives from the Latin prefix dis- (meaning away, apart) combined with qualify, which itself comes from Medieval Latin qualificare. The term emerged in English to denote the reversal of qualification—removing or denying someone's eligibility or fitness for a position, competition, or privilege.

Breakdown

dis- (away, apart, negation) + qualify (from Latin qualis 'of what kind' + -ficare 'to make'). The prefix reverses the verb's meaning from 'to make competent or eligible' to 'to render ineligible or unfit.'

🎵Rhyme

qualify
amplify
clarify

🔗Collocations

disqualify from
disqualify a candidate
automatically disqualify
disqualify for cheating
grounds to disqualify
disqualify an athlete

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The contestant was disqualified for googling answers during the quiz show.”

“His criminal record disqualifies him from becoming a police officer.”

😄 Fun example

“She was disqualified from the cooking competition for ordering pizza instead of cooking.”

“The company was disqualified from bidding due to incomplete documents.”

📚Related Words

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