qualifier

UK: /ˈkwɒlɪfaɪə^r/ US: (kwol′ə fī′ər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

qual•i•fi•er  (kwol′ə fī′ər), n. 

1. a person or thing that qualifies.
2. Grammar
   • a word that qualifies the meaning of another, as an adjective or adverb;
     modifier.
   • an adverb that modifies adjectives or other adverbs and typically expresses degree or intensity, as very, somewhat, or quite.

• qualify + -er¹ 1555–65

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

qualifier / ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪə/ noun

1. a person or thing that qualifies, esp a contestant in a competition who wins a preliminary heat or contest and so earns the right to take part in the next round
2. a preliminary heat or contest
3. another word for modifier1