How to pronounce qualify
Say it like KWAH-luh-fy. Qualify has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce qualify. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KWAH
- luh
- fy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Qualify pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of qualify
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KWOL-ih-fy.
What does qualify mean?
- prove capable or fit; meet requirements
- pronounce fit or able“She was qualified to run the marathon”“They nurses were qualified to administer the injections”
- make more specific“qualify these remarks”
Where does qualify come from?
Borrowed from Middle French qualifier (“to qualify”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with qualify
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of qualify.
Questions about saying qualify
How do you pronounce qualify?
Say KWAH-luh-fy. The American pronunciation is /ˈkwɑləˌfaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in qualify?
Qualify has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAH). Broken into parts: KWAH · luh · fy.
Is qualify pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪ/ (KWOL-ih-fy).