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
-
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:
The judge said Brown's fame, commercial success and professional standing "do not entitle you to special treatment - the law applies equally to everyone".
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
Disruption caused by things like air traffic control issues – but also bad weather, strikes by airport staff, or conflict, or other "extraordinary circumstances" – does not entitle you to extra compensation.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
That would automatically entitle them to move around Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 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
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
Whether that entitles him to the money is less cut and dried, attorneys say.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
The 16-17 Saver Railcard costs £35 per year and entitles the holder to 50% off most train fares.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
Each $2 token entitles you to a $1 position in the debt offering.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
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
Amid these challenges and others that people working in public service have faced over the years in accessing promised student-debt forgiveness, Dismore says borrowers should know that they’re entitled to certain rights under the law.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
Stewart's 2023 memoir was entitled "Making It So."
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
Dasdan will be entitled to severance benefits and will receive a pro rata bonus equal to $515,000 as well as a lump sum cash payment of about $1.3 million, as well as certain additional benefits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
This means family members are more likely to be entitled to payment if there is an informal agreement, she said, even without an amount being agreed.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
When my father and I left for Peekskill on Tuesday morning, Danny had completed the first paper and was started on the second, entitled “Die Abwehr-Neuropsychosen.”
From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok
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
He retained a sense of humour about the incident, later entitling his memoir 'Here Today, Gone Tomorrow'.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2024
“Failure to pay Mr. Zeidman the $5 million prize was a breach of the contract, entitling him to recover.”
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 20, 2023
There at another desk I was handed a railway pass entitling me to transportation through Germany to the Dutch border.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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