What does disqualify mean?
Word: Disqualify
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Disqualify means to stop someone from taking part in something or winning it, because they have broken a rule or do not meet a condition.
How do you spell disqualify?
Syllables: dis - qual - i - fy
Tricky part: The middle is said with a kwol sound, so students often write an o after the qu. The letter there is an a.
Watch out for: disquolify, disqwalify, diskwalify
Memory tip: Hear kwol, write qua. Chant those four words twice and the o will not creep in.
Disqualify in a sentence
Example 1: The judges had to disqualify the robot because it was heavier than the limit.
Example 2: A missing signature can disqualify an entry form, so check yours tonight.
Example 3: Stepping out of the lane will disqualify a runner from the relay.
Fun Fact
Since 2010, world athletics rules have given sprinters no second chance in most races: one false start usually means they are disqualified.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
____qualify
a) des
b) dis
c) dys
d) diss
Show answer
b) dis. This is the same short prefix that gives dislike and disagree.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
disqualify
a) welcome
b) exclude
c) reward
d) admit
Show answer
b) exclude. To exclude someone is to keep them out, which is what happens to a player who breaks the rules.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
disqual_f_
a) i,y
b) a,y
c) e,y
d) i,i
Show answer
a) i,y. The verb ending here is the one in beautify and simplify.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
disquallify
a) q
b) f
c) a
d) l
Show answer
d) l. One l joins the a to the i.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which act is most likely to get a chess player disqualified?
a) using a phone during the game
b) shaking hands at the end
c) writing down each move
d) thinking for a long time
Show answer
a) using a phone during the game
2. Once a team is disqualified from a tournament, it ____.
a) plays the final match twice
b) can play no further matches
c) moves up to the next round
d) receives the winners' trophy
Show answer
b) can play no further matches
