entitled

American  

[en-tahyt-ld] / ɛnˈtaɪt ld /

Rarely intitled

adjective

1. called by the title indicated.

   In my paper so entitled, I explore the idea that "Robust Democracy Is National Security."

2. having a right or legitimate claim to something.

   The inheritance passes to the legally entitled heir.

3. assuming or acting as though one has an innate right or claim to wealth, success, recognition, etc..

   I was so entitled and self-centered that I never noticed the injustices around me.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of entitle.

Other Word Forms

• unentitled adjective
• well-entitled adjective

Etymology

Origin of entitled

entitle ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does entitled compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• titled vs. entitled

Explanation

The adjective entitled means you have a legal right to something. If you are entitled to your mother's house when she passes away, that means it's written in her will that she gave it to you. Entitled is often used in a more casual way, to mean "allowed." For example, volunteers at the park clean-up are entitled to the water and snacks at the pavilion. Sometimes, though, people feel they are entitled to special treatment because they think they are more worthy than others. This usage of entitled came from the mid 15th century, when it referred to giving someone the title of an estate or property.

Example Sentences

Two of her children and the heirs of her late father's business partners argued they were entitled to a significant share of royalties and mining rights.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

I was outdoorsy and sporty, largely because girls back then were told by mothers that they were entitled to the same things as boys.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

See which school benefits you’d be entitled to receive.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

In a 2025 investigation entitled "Fake Friend", the watchdog tested ChatGPT, one of the world's most popular AI chatbots.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

In support of their claim that Armstrong should, at the very least, be entitled to discovery, Armstrong’s lawyers offered two sworn affidavits.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• honored
• powerful