entitle

American  

[en-tahyt-l] / ɛnˈtaɪt l /

Sometimes intitle

verb (used with object)

entitled, entitling

1. 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.

   Synonyms:

   qualify, authorize

2. to call by a particular title or name.

   What was the book entitled?

3. to designate (a person) by an honorary title.

---

entitle British  

/ ɪnˈtaɪtəl /

verb

1. to give (a person) the right to do or have something; qualify; allow

2. to give a name or title to

3. to confer a title of rank or honour upon

---

Other Word Forms

• entitlement noun
• preentitle verb (used with object)
• subentitle verb (used with object)

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; en- ¹, title

Example Sentences

“And that would entitle the parents, at the end of the day, to relief.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

TD Cowen’s Craig Hutchison says the U.S. government will be granted a participation interest which, once vested, will entitle it to receive 20% of any cash distributions over $17.5 billion made by Westinghouse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025

This will entitle them to an initial £200,000 interim payment.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2024

So, it could take you like two years to entitle land, sometimes even three or four years, but then it might take you another year to build it.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2023

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

Related Words

• allow
• authorize
• empower
• enable
• permit
• warrant