Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

privilege

[ priv-uh-lij, priv-lij ]

noun

    1. a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed by a particular person or a restricted group of people beyond the advantages of most:

      Few people have access to the privileges of the very rich.

    2. the unearned and mostly unacknowledged societal advantage that a restricted group of people has over another group: male privilege;

      white privilege based on skin color;

      male privilege;

      children of privilege.

  1. a special right, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to free them from certain obligations or liabilities:

    It's a privilege of a senator to speak in Congress without danger of a libel suit.

  2. a grant to an individual, corporation, etc., of a special right or immunity, under certain conditions.
  3. the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities.

    Synonyms: , ,

  4. any of the rights common to all citizens under a modern constitutional government:

    We enjoy the privileges of a free people.

  5. an advantage or source of pleasure granted to a person:

    It's my privilege to be here.

  6. Stock Exchange. an option to buy or sell stock at a stipulated price for a limited period of time, including puts, calls, spreads, and straddles.


verb (used with object)

privileged, privileging.
  1. to grant a privilege to.
  2. to exempt (usually followed by from ).
  3. to authorize or license (something otherwise forbidden).

privilege

/ ˈɪɪɪ /

noun

  1. a benefit, immunity, etc, granted under certain conditions
  2. the advantages and immunities enjoyed by a small usually powerful group or class, esp to the disadvantage of others

    one of the obstacles to social harmony is privilege

  3. any of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of a country by its constitution
    1. the right of a lawyer to refuse to divulge information obtained in confidence from a client
    2. the right claimed by any of certain other functionaries to refuse to divulge information

      executive privilege

  4. the rights and immunities enjoyed by members of most legislative bodies, such as freedom of speech, freedom from arrest in civil cases during a session, etc
  5. stock exchange a speculative contract permitting its purchaser to make optional purchases or sales of securities at a specified time over a limited period of time See also call put spread straddle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to bestow a privilege or privileges upon
  2. foll by from to free or exempt
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ··· noun
  • ···𲵱 adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of privilege1

First recorded in 1125–75; (noun) Middle English; earlier privilegie, from Old French privilege, from Latin īŧܳ originally, “a law (for or against an individual),” equivalent to ī- (combining form of īܲ “one's own, private”) + ŧ- ( legal ) + -ium -ium; (verb) Middle English privilegen, from Middle French privilegier, from Medieval Latin īŧ, derivative of īŧܳ
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of privilege1

C12: from Old French ŧ, from Latin īŧܳ law relevant to rights of an individual, from īܲ an individual + ŧ law
Discover More

Synonym Study

Privilege, prerogative refer to a special advantage or right possessed by an individual or group. A privilege is a right or advantage gained by birth, social position, effort, or concession. It can have either legal or personal sanction: the privilege of paying half fare; the privilege of calling whenever one wishes. Prerogative refers to an exclusive right claimed and granted, often officially or legally, on the basis of social status, heritage, gender, etc.: the prerogatives of a king; the prerogatives of management.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She said she felt "so privileged to be joining a multitude of people" who were paying their respects to Pope Francis this week.

From

"The 80th anniversary of VE Day brings back so many memories, and it will be such a privilege to be there with everyone."

From

When asked about whether she would describe her background as privileged, Marten said "financially yes, emotionally not all".

From

“Some organizations have more privilege, they have more resources. They can afford to go to court. They can be more bold.”

From

He described it as having been a privilege to have grown up in Birmingham and said that's what the city gave people, a multicultural environment that expanded everybody's minds.

From

Advertisement

Discover More

How Do You Spell Privilege?

Spelling tips for privilege

The word privilege is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it is tempting to use an e in the place of one of the two is, as in privelege. Second, people often want to add a d after the g because of the way privilege is pronounced (priviledge).

How to spell privilege: It’s a privilege to have two eyes (Is) and legs. This helps remind you that privilege is spelled with two is and the final syllable does not have a d.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


privet hawkprivileged