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

That’s the implication of a seminal study, entitled “Bubbles for Fama,” which challenges University of Chicago professor Eugene Fama’s famous claim that bubbles cannot be identified in advance.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Concerns about the CMS were raised with government in a House of Lords report entitled Reforming the Child Maintenance Service in October 2025.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

"Fortescue accepts that the Yindjibarndi People are entitled to compensation."

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Some blame the rising price of tickets, saying theatergoers feel entitled to misbehave in the same way sports fans feel the price of admission buys them the right to heckle players.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

One piece which that lady played Edna had entitled “Solitude.”

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Related Words

• honored
• powerful