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privilege
[ priv-uh-lij, priv-lij ]
noun
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- a grant to an individual, corporation, etc., of a special right or immunity, under certain conditions.
- the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities.
- any of the rights common to all citizens under a modern constitutional government:
We enjoy the privileges of a free people.
- an advantage or source of pleasure granted to a person:
It's my privilege to be here.
- 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)
- to grant a privilege to.
- to exempt (usually followed by from ).
- to authorize or license (something otherwise forbidden).
privilege
/ ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ /
noun
- a benefit, immunity, etc, granted under certain conditions
- 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
- any of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of a country by its constitution
- the right of a lawyer to refuse to divulge information obtained in confidence from a client
- the right claimed by any of certain other functionaries to refuse to divulge information
executive privilege
- 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
verb
- to bestow a privilege or privileges upon
- foll by from to free or exempt
Other Word Forms
- priv·i·leg·er noun
- pro·priv·i·lege adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of privilege1
Word History and Origins
Origin of privilege1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
In her 2024 book “Stolen Pride,” one down-and-out Kentucky man summed it up, asking, “If it’s such a privilege to be born a white male, what could explain me except my own personal failure?”
The film continually pushes up against almost being a glimmering rom-com that celebrates wealth and privilege but instead becomes a series of tough conversations on the place of love, money and relationships in contemporary life.
She also likes the cash Pryce has thrown her way for the privilege of coaching her son.
But even if you don’t get that privilege, I can’t think of a better place to stand on the blacktop and imagine what might be down the road.
"They've enjoyed more than their share of South Africa's resources and privileges, and none are fleeing racial persecution," he said.
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Related Words
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.
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