privileged

[priv-uh-lijd, priv-lijd]

adjective

1. belonging to a class that enjoys special privileges; favored.

   the privileged few.

2. entitled to or exercising a privilege.

3. restricted to a select group or individual.

   privileged information; a privileged position.

4. Law.,  (of utterances or communications)

   1. not rendering the person making them liable to prosecution for libel or slander, in view of the attendant circumstances.

   2. not requiring any testimony concerning them to be presented in court.

5. Navigation.,  (of a vessel) having the right of way.

privileged

/ ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒd /

adjective

1. enjoying or granted as a privilege or privileges

2. law

   1. not actionable as a libel or slander

   2. (of a communication, document, etc) that a witness cannot be compelled to divulge

3. nautical (of a vessel) having the right of way

Other Word Forms

• nonprivileged adjective
• quasi-privileged adjective
• unprivileged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of privileged¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; privilege + -ed ³

Example Sentences

And what would Tolstoy – who, though born a noble, later in life renounced his privileged upbringing and wealth – think of the bogan version?

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She declined to share this evidence, saying it was privileged as part of her client’s file.

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Kadens’s pitch to the 33 students taking his weekly “Mastering Wealth” class: Affluence isn’t just for privileged people, but for anyone willing to take big risks and work like a demon.

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Indeed, if there’s a downside to concierge medicine, it may be societal: higher spending lavished on a privileged minority, fewer physicians for everyone else, and longer waits to see specialists.

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Reflecting on their win, Alon says they are proud to be the first Scottish artist to receive the award and feel privileged to be representing Scotland.

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Related Words

• honored 
• powerful