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)

, priv·i·leged, priv·i·leg·ing.

1. to grant a privilege to.
2. to exempt (usually followed by from ).
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 Words From

• priv·i·leg·er noun
• pro·priv·i·lege 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

At the time, she was booted from the team and lost her Associated Student Body position and school sports privileges for six weeks.

From Voice of San Diego

In return for offering these privileges, society can reasonably expect to benefit, not suffer, from what corporations do.

From 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.

From Search Engine Land

For me personally, it meant committing to more deeply examining my own privilege and improving diversity throughout our company.

From Fortune

The company has paid billions for that privilege over the years.

From Search Engine Land

As a white, educated, Western, middle-class male, I possess most of the unearned privilege the world has to offer.

From The Daily Beast

“We look for the qualities that are evocative of V.S.O.P Privilege,” explained Hennessy Senior Vice President Rodney Williams.

From The Daily Beast

Moreover, the exhibition begs the question: how do we come to privilege certain images?

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Yet, the only “nobodies” that do not have to be are those that have the privilege.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

He continued its sale, however, as a kingly monopoly, allowing only those to engage in it who paid him for the privilege.

From Project Gutenberg

The Ratignolles' soirees musicales were widely known, and it was considered a privilege to be invited to them.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

To swear in suitable circumstances is the duty of all; but it is the privilege of those only who are in covenant with God.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

How Do You Spell Privilege?

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.