qualified

adjective/ˈkwɑː.lə.faɪd/
People and work

Having the training, knowledge, or ability needed for a job or activity.

qualified teacherqualified candidatefully qualified

ExampleThe person in the picture looks qualified because she is using professional equipment.

ExampleA qualified teacher can explain difficult ideas in a simple way.

Usage Scenarios

Describing a person in an image

Use qualified when clothing, tools, or behavior suggests professional ability.

ExampleThe woman seems qualified for the job because she is confidently operating the machine.

Giving an opinion about work or study

Use it when your answer discusses training, education, or expertise.

ExampleSchools should hire qualified teachers who can support students with different learning needs.

Usage Guide

Use qualified when a person has the right skills, training, or experience. In DET picture descriptions, it can help you make a careful inference about someone's role. In short writing, it helps you discuss jobs, teachers, workers, and experts.

Qualified usually comes before a person noun: a qualified teacher, a qualified doctor, a qualified candidate. You can also write qualified to do something when you want to explain the exact activity.

This word is stronger than good because it explains why the person is suitable. It connects ability to a requirement, which makes your answer sound more precise.

Word Forms & Word Building

Qualified is the adjective. It comes from the verb qualify, which means to meet the necessary standard.

Qualification is the noun. It can mean a certificate, degree, or skill: a teaching qualification or job qualification.

Qualify can also mean become eligible: students qualify for a scholarship if they meet the requirements.

Meaning Boundaries

Qualified vs skilled

Skilled means able to do something well. Qualified means the person meets a required standard, often through training or certification.

Qualified vs suitable

Suitable means appropriate for a situation. Qualified is more specific and focuses on ability, training, or credentials.

Register

Qualified is neutral and works well in DET speaking and writing. It is common in school, work, and professional topics.

Best contexts

Use qualified for teachers, doctors, workers, candidates, experts, or people applying for a role.

Memory Tricks

Think of qualified as fit for the role. If a person meets the requirement, qualified is accurate.

Pair it with people nouns: qualified teacher, qualified worker, qualified candidate. These chunks are useful in DET answers.

When speaking, add a reason after qualified: qualified because she has experience, training, or special equipment.

Common Traps

Do not use qualified to mean high-quality. A qualified person has the required ability; a high-quality product is different.

Use qualified for or qualified to carefully: qualified for the job, qualified to teach.

In picture description, avoid claiming too much. Say seems qualified if you are making an inference from the image.