entitle

[ en-tahyt-l ]

/ ɛnˈtaɪt l /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR entitle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling.

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?

to designate (a person) by an honorary title.

Nearby words

Also intitle.

Origin of entitle

1350–1400; Middle English entitlen < Anglo-French entitler, variant of Middle French entituler < Late Latin intitulāre. See en-¹, title

SYNONYMS FOR entitle

authorize, qualify.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR entitle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formspre·en·ti·tle, verb (used with object), pre·en·ti·tled, pre·en·ti·tling.sub·en·ti·tle, verb (used with object), sub·en·ti·tled, sub·en·ti·tling.un·en·ti·tled, adjectivewell-en·ti·tled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for entitle

He even went so far as to entitle one blog post (since sadly deleted) “How To Succeed at Failure.”
Can Richard Branson Bounce Back From His Space Disaster?|Tom Sykes|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the Vanity Fair piece, Lawrence defended her celebrity status and said that that did not entitle people to her body.
‘The Fappening’ Perpetuators Have a J.Law Come-to-Jesus Moment and ‘Cower With Shame’|Marlow Stern|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Teenagers can pay taxes; that alone should entitle them to a voice in the political process.
Paying Taxes and Going to Jail Like Adults; Teens Deserve the Right to Vote, Too|Jillian Keenan|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Different contracts may entitle Chesapeake to charge varying amounts.
How the Kings of Fracking Double-Crossed Their Way to Riches|ProPublica|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Hint: It does not entitle him to the right to do damage to the Republican brand.
Let Ron Paul Speak at the Tampa Convention?|David Frum|January 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In short, Hare's view of the average American is now such an anachronism as to entitle him fairly to be called a freak.
A Year in Europe|Walter W. Moore
The song is certainly wonderful and unique, and should entitle its author to a very exalted position among singing-birds.
Nests and Eggs of Birds of The United States|Thomas G. Gentry
Epicures vaunting their taste, entitle me vulgar and savage, Give them their Brussels-sprouts, but I am contented with cabbage.
The Fitz-Boodle Papers|William Makepeace Thackeray
He had never disclosed it to me—and I could not see what there was in Helen Legram to entitle her to this confidence.
Continental Monthly , Vol IV, Issue VI, December 1863|Various
They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.
Inaugural Presidential Address|Barack Hussein Obama

British Dictionary definitions for entitle

entitle

/ (ɪnˈtaɪtəl) /

verb (tr)

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

to give a name or title to

to confer a title of rank or honour upon

Derived Formsentitlement, noun

Word Origin for entitle

C14: from Old French entituler, from Late Latin intitulāre, from Latin titulus title

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for entitle

entitle

late 14c., "to give a title to a chapter, book, etc.," from Anglo-French entitler, Old French entiteler (Modern French intituler), from Late Latin intitulare, from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + titulus "title" (see title (n.)).

Meaning "to bestow (on a person) a rank or office" is mid-15c. Sense of "to give (someone) 'title' to an estate or property," hence to give that person a claim to possession or privilege, is mid-15c.; this now is used mostly in reference to circumstances and actions. Related: Entitled; entitling.