privilege

[ priv-uh-lij, priv-lij ]

/ ˈprɪv ə lɪdʒ, ˈprɪv lɪdʒ /

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See synonyms for: privilege / privileged / privileges / privileging on Thesaurus.com

noun

a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed by a particular person or a restricted group of people beyond the advantages of most: the privileges of the very rich.
the unearned and mostly unacknowledged societal advantage that a restricted group of people has over another group: white privilege based on skin color; male privilege; children of privilege.

a special right, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to free them from certain obligations or liabilities: the privilege of a senator to speak in Congress without danger of a libel suit.

a grant to an individual, corporation, etc., of a special right or immunity, under certain conditions.

the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities.

any of the rights common to all citizens under a modern constitutional government: We enjoy the privileges of a free people.

an advantage or source of pleasure granted to a person: It's my privilege to be here.

Stock Exchange. an option to buy or sell stock at a stipulated price for a limited period of time, including puts, calls, spreads, and straddles.

verb (used with object), priv·i·leged, priv·i·leg·ing.

to grant a privilege to.

to exempt (usually followed by from).

to authorize or license (something otherwise forbidden).

SYNONYMS FOR privilege

4 license, freedom, liberty.

See synonyms for privilege on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of privilege

First recorded in 1125–75; (noun) Middle English; earlier privilegie, from Old French privilege, from Latin prīvilēgium originally, “a law (for or against an individual),” equivalent to prīvi- (combining form of prīvus “one's own, private”) + lēg- (see legal) + -ium -ium; (verb) Middle English privilegen, from Middle French privilegier, from Medieval Latin prīvilēgiāre, derivative of prīvilēgium

synonym study for privilege

1. Privilege, prerogative refer to a special advantage or right possessed by an individual or group. A privilege is a right or advantage gained by birth, social position, effort, or concession. It can have either legal or personal sanction: the privilege of paying half fare; the privilege of calling whenever one wishes. Prerogative refers to an exclusive right claimed and granted, often officially or legally, on the basis of social status, heritage, sex, etc.: the prerogatives of a king; the prerogatives of management.

OTHER WORDS FROM privilege

priv·i·leg·er, nounpro·priv·i·lege, adjective

Words nearby privilege

privative, privatization issue, privatize, privet, privet hawk, privilege, privileged, privileged altar, privileged site, privily, privity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use privilege in a sentence

At the time, she was booted from the team and lost her Associated Student Body position and school sports privileges for six weeks.
School Sports Became ‘Clubs’ Amid the Pandemic – Now Two Coaches Are Out|Ashly McGlone|September 17, 2020|Voice of San Diego
In return for offering these privileges, society can reasonably expect to benefit, not suffer, from what corporations do.
50 years later, Milton Friedman’s shareholder doctrine is dead|jakemeth|September 13, 2020|Fortune
At the same time, we pledged to use our privilege as a convener to advocate for change and to set an example by using our platform to highlight the important contributions of BIPOC professionals to this community.
Nominations now open: Search Engine Land Award for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Search Marketing|Henry Powderly|September 11, 2020|Search Engine Land
For me personally, it meant committing to more deeply examining my own privilege and improving diversity throughout our company.
Levi Strauss CEO: We can’t solve racial inequality if gun violence and voter disenfranchisement persist|jakemeth|September 1, 2020|Fortune

The company has paid billions for that privilege over the years.
Is Apple getting real about search and about to take on Google?|Greg Sterling|August 27, 2020|Search Engine Land
As a white, educated, Western, middle-class male, I possess most of the unearned privilege the world has to offer.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“We look for the qualities that are evocative of V.S.O.P Privilege,” explained Hennessy Senior Vice President Rodney Williams.
Streetwear pioneer, visionary entrepreneur, and community mentor Daymond John is honored with Hennessy Privilege Award|Hennessy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, the exhibition begs the question: how do we come to privilege certain images?
A History of Paris in 150 Photographs|Sarah Moroz|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Privilege can be a hard concept to get a handle on, especially for those who are immersed in it and reaping the benefits.
What Is Privilege?|The Daily Beast Video|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet, the only “nobodies” that do not have to be are those that have the privilege.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the end of the first year, however, she resigned this privilege because she did not wish to accept the conditions of the gift.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
He continued its sale, however, as a kingly monopoly, allowing only those to engage in it who paid him for the privilege.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The Ratignolles' soirees musicales were widely known, and it was considered a privilege to be invited to them.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
It was a privilege to sit so close to her at the table, to wait on her, and be the recipient of her charming smiles.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
To swear in suitable circumstances is the duty of all; but it is the privilege of those only who are in covenant with God.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

British Dictionary definitions for privilege

privilege

/ (ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ) /

noun

a benefit, immunity, etc, granted under certain conditions

the advantages and immunities enjoyed by a small usually powerful group or class, esp to the disadvantage of othersone of the obstacles to social harmony is privilege

any of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of a country by its constitution

the right of a lawyer to refuse to divulge information obtained in confidence from a client
the right claimed by any of certain other functionaries to refuse to divulge informationexecutive privilege

the rights and immunities enjoyed by members of most legislative bodies, such as freedom of speech, freedom from arrest in civil cases during a session, etc

US stock exchange a speculative contract permitting its purchaser to make optional purchases or sales of securities at a specified time over a limited period of timeSee also call (def. 61), put (def. 20), spread (def. 24c), straddle (def. 9)

verb (tr)

to bestow a privilege or privileges upon

(foll by from) to free or exempt

Word Origin for privilege

C12: from Old French privilēge, from Latin prīvilēgium law relevant to rights of an individual, from prīvus an individual + lēx law

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

privilege

noun

verb (used with object), priv·i·leged, priv·i·leg·ing.

SYNONYMS FOR privilege

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Origin of privilege

synonym study for privilege

OTHER WORDS FROM privilege

Words nearby privilege

Words related to privilege

How to use privilege in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for privilege

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for privilege