/ ˈkwɒlɪfaɪə(r); NAmE ˈkwɑːl-/ noun
1.
a person or team that has defeated others in order to enter a particular competition
2.
a game or match that a person or team has to win in order to enter a particular competition :
a World Cup qualifier
3.
( grammar ) a word, especially an adjective or adverb, that describes another word in a particular way :
In 'the open door', 'open' is a qualifier, describing the door.