privilege

[priv-uh-lij, priv-lij]

noun

1. 1. a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed by a particular person or a restricted group of people beyond the advantages of most.

      Few people have access to the privileges of the very rich.

   2. the unearned and mostly unacknowledged societal advantage that a restricted group of people has over another group: male privilege;

      white privilege based on skin color;

      male privilege;

      children of privilege.

2. a special right, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to free them from certain obligations or liabilities.

   It's a privilege of a senator to speak in Congress without danger of a libel suit.

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

4. the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities.

   Synonyms: liberty, freedom, license

5. any of the rights common to all citizens under a modern constitutional government.

   We enjoy the privileges of a free people.

6. an advantage or source of pleasure granted to a person.

   It's my privilege to be here.

7. 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)

privileged, privileging 

1. to grant a privilege to.

2. to exempt (usually followed byfrom ).

3. to authorize or license (something otherwise forbidden).

privilege

/ ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ /

noun

1. a benefit, immunity, etc, granted under certain conditions

2. the advantages and immunities enjoyed by a small usually powerful group or class, esp to the disadvantage of others

   one of the obstacles to social harmony is privilege

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

4. 1. the right of a lawyer to refuse to divulge information obtained in confidence from a client

   2. the right claimed by any of certain other functionaries to refuse to divulge information

      executive privilege

5. 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

6. 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 time See also call put spread straddle

verb

1. to bestow a privilege or privileges upon

2. (foll by from) to free or exempt

Other Word Forms

• privileger noun
• proprivilege adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of privilege¹

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- ( legal ) + -ium -ium; (verb) Middle English privilegen, from Middle French privilegier, from Medieval Latin prīvilēgiāre, derivative of prīvilēgium

Word History and Origins

Origin of privilege¹

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

Synonym Study

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, gender, etc.: the prerogatives of a king; the prerogatives of management.

Example Sentences

But unless we plan for equitable access, life extension will become privilege extension—widening, not narrowing, our mortality gap.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a 2018 interview with The Times, she said she felt privileged to still be working.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I had the fortunate privilege to share a change room with him when he was younger and he has evolved into a serious cricketer and a fantastic leader," he said.

Read more on BBC

"Seeing young people do what they love... It's a privilege to work with people that are talented, ambitious, and driven to follow their goals."

Read more on BBC

If officers accrue a certain number of points within a short span they can be required to undergo retraining or have their driving privileges revoked.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advantage 
• allowance 
• authority 
• authorization 
• benefit 
• concession 
• due 
• entitlement 
• exemption 
• freedom 
• immunity 
• license 
• opportunity 
• prerogative 
• right 

When To Use

Spelling tips for privilege

The word privilege is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it is tempting to use an e in the place of one of the two is, as in privelege. Second, people often want to add a d after the g because of the way privilege is pronounced (priviledge). How to spell privilege: It's a privilege to have two eyes (Is) and legs. This helps remind you that privilege is spelled with two is and the final syllable does not have a d.