entitle
Americanverb (used with object)
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entitles,
present (3rd person singular)
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entitled,
past participle, past
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entitling
present participle
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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.
-
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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entitlesimple
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entitlessimple
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have entitledperfect
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has entitledperfect
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am entitlingprogressive
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are entitlingprogressive
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is entitlingprogressive
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have been entitlingperfect progressive
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has been entitlingperfect progressive
Past
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entitledsimple
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had entitledperfect
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was entitlingprogressive
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were entitlingprogressive
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had been entitlingperfect progressive
Future
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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Commonly Confused Words, List 4
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The Bluest Eye
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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.
See Examples For:
That would automatically entitle them to move around Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Disruption caused by things like conflict – but also bad weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, or other "extraordinary circumstances" – does not entitle you to extra compensation.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
Just following this process would entitle employers’ decisions to “significant deference” from the courts — a “safe harbor,” or legal shield, meant to guard those decisions from challenge.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
Disruption caused by things like conflict - but also bad weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, or other "extraordinary circumstances" - does not entitle you to extra compensation.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026
You’d think that losing a major organ would entitle you to lie around a few weeks, but for some reason, my doctors want me up and moving almost immediately.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Apellis stockholders will also receive a contingent value right that entitles them to an additional $2-a-share payout, dependent upon annual global net sales thresholds being met for Syfovre.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026
Silver believes the judge’s ruling entitles him to permits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2025
The courts have established that making a charitable gift is a protected free speech activity that entitles donors to certain privacy rights.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2025
The parents argued that the free exercise clause of the First Amendment entitles them to these accommodations.
From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2025
I unfolded the note and cleared my throat: “This entitles the Nisbett Family to one airplane ride from Pine Bluff to Little Rock.”
From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine
Prices differ from dealer to dealer in the same state, sometimes in the same town, and the dealer who charged you last year is not entitled to your loyalty this year.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
Their case was initially dismissed, but in 2023 a federal appeals court ruled they were entitled to a trial.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
"They don't always know what they're entitled to or where to go, it's confusing, it's a minefield," Ryall said.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Sadly, this seems to be the fate of the Buss children, who aside from Jeanie, seem intent on acting like entitled rich kids more interested in dividing up their share of $2.2 billion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
We are entitled to feel at home in Boyle’s universe, even if it is a mechanical apparatus; it is not clear that an immortal, immaterial soul has any business feeling at home in Descartes’ universe.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
A pasta PSA: After a yearslong hiatus, Olive Garden is selling 10,000 Never-Ending Pasta Passes on Thursday, entitling buyers to 13 weeks of unlimited pasta, soup, salad, and breadsticks.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
In addition to the cash consideration, Theravance shareholders will receive contingent value rights entitling them to 80% of net proceeds from any future license, divestiture or other monetization of ampreloxetine within the next 10 years.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
In April, the government introduced HRT pre-payment certificates in England, entitling some patients to an annual supply of HRT for £19.30.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2023
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the fire area would be declared a catastrophe zone, entitling the island to funds to help with reforestation and compensation for people affected.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 21, 2023
“He has a letter from Doc Daneeka entitling him to all the fruit and fruit juices he wants.”
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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