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.
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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
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:
Teachers don’t need a master’s in education to teach, though collective-bargaining agreements sometimes entitle them to pay raises if they get one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 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
"He is on the sex offenders' register – that should not entitle him to a blog. We don't want to hear from you, Huw," she said.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Disruption caused by things like a fire, bad weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, or other "extraordinary circumstances" does not entitle you to extra compensation.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2025
We had waited since April for the magic package containing the packets and packets of seeds we were to sell for five cents each, which would entitle us to a new bicycle.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
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
Sinn Féin is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly which entitles it to more ministerial positions on the executive and also the office of first minister.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 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
“There’s one more thing. Although you didn’t live with her, you are her only documented relative. That entitles you to a year of immunity from gleaning.”
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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
The ruling that states that Bern is entitled to payment cannot be appealed against, however, the estate intends to lodge an appeal against the second ruling that decided the amount owed.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 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
A tired 74-year-old dictator would have to deal with the challenges of demobilization and delivering the rewards society and fellow elites believe they are entitled to for putting up with his pointless war.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean we’re entitled to one another’s private moments.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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
It added that "a number of casualties" had been documented as "civilian martyrs", meaning they have been unjustly killed and entitling them to compensation.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2025
In 2023, Newsom extended that version of the program for another five years and added a “refundable” feature entitling studios to cash payments from the state when their credits exceed their tax bills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2024
“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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