privilege

[ priv-uh-lij, priv-lij ]

/ ˈprɪv ə lɪdʒ, ˈprɪv lɪdʒ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR privilege ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most: the privileges of the very rich.

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).

Nearby words

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

Origin of privilege

1125–75; (noun) Middle English; earlier privilegie (< Old French privilege) < Latin prīvilēgium orig., a law for or against an individual, equivalent to prīvi- (combining form of prīvus one's own) + lēg- (see legal) + -ium -ium; (v.) Middle English privilegen (< Middle French privilegier) < Medieval Latin prīvilēgiāre, derivative of prīvilēgium

SYNONYMS 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.

4 license, freedom, liberty.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR privilege ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for privilege

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
It has been a privilege to work with them, and I wish them only the best.
Facebook Prince Purges The New Republic: Inside the Destruction of a 100-Year-Old Magazine|Lloyd Grove|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

You have this privilege to be famous and you use it as a cudgel?
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Especially when he has the privilege of your particular favour,” added Nasmyth.
The Greater Power|Harold Bindloss
I wish th' privilege iv standin' on me head an' playin' "A charge to keep I have" on the accorjeen with me feet.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
For myself I have never ceased to be grateful to the Divine Providence for the privilege of taking a part in that work.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VII (of VII)|John Greenleaf Whittier
"You must make them pay for the privilege of digging," I suggested.
The Lightning Conductor Discovers America|C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson and A. M. (Alice Muriel) Williamson
The Government of the United States would consider it a privilege thus to serve its friends and the world.
New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 4, July, 1915|Various

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.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of privilege

Examples from the Web for privilege

British Dictionary definitions for privilege

privilege

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for privilege