entitle
Americanverb (used with object)
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to give (a person or thing) a title, right, or claim to something; furnish with grounds for laying claim.
His executive position entitled him to certain courtesies rarely accorded others.
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to call by a particular title or name.
What was the book entitled?
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to designate (a person) by an honorary title.
verb
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to give (a person) the right to do or have something; qualify; allow
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to give a name or title to
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to confer a title of rank or honour upon
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of entitle
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English entitlen, from Anglo-French entitler, variant of Middle French entituler, from Late Latin intitulāre; see en- 1, title
Explanation
Use the verb entitle to mean "give a right to." At some schools, being a senior might entitle students to go out for lunch on Fridays. The most common use of entitle is the one you might see on a coupon, like one for a free ride at the state fair that entitles the holder to one free ride on the Octopus of Terror. When you entitle someone, you give them a claim to something, like when you entitle someone the best goalie in Canada, or make someone a member of the noble class, like when the Queen entitles, or gives a title to, a worthy person.
Vocabulary lists containing entitle
Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
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The Bluest Eye
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Learning Some Key Words for Academic Writing
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Otherwise, buying the e-book through Amazon or a discount service such as Entitle is more economical.
From Washington Times • Jul. 18, 2014
From pardons which extend to woods, Entitle thieves to keep our goods, Forgive our rents as well as bloods, God bless, etc.
From Cavalier Songs and Ballads of England from 1642 to 1684 by Mackay, Charles
The tailor is, A far more useful member of society Than is a poet;—then his sprightly wit, His glee, his humour, and his happy mind Entitle him to fair esteem.
From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 17, No. 495, June 25, 1831 by Various
Entitle it "Four Delicious Dishes for the Thanksgiving Dinner," and then in as attractive a form as possible give four recipes, making a point of the necessity of using Premium Extract for the right flavor.
From Business English A Practice Book by Buhlig, Rose
But answer me: why should the bedlam slave Entitle a whole poem to your kiss, Calling it cherry, ruby, this and this?
From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 8 by Hazlitt, William Carew
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
