privileged

American  

[priv-uh-lijd, priv-lijd] / ˈprɪv ə lɪdʒd, ˈprɪv lɪdʒd /

adjective

1. belonging to a class that enjoys special privileges; favored.

   the privileged few.

2. entitled to or exercising a privilege.

3. restricted to a select group or individual.

   privileged information; a privileged position.

4. Law. (of utterances or communications)

   1. not rendering the person making them liable to prosecution for libel or slander, in view of the attendant circumstances.

   2. not requiring any testimony concerning them to be presented in court.

5. Navigation. (of a vessel) having the right of way.

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privileged British  

/ ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒd /

adjective

1. enjoying or granted as a privilege or privileges

2. law

   1. not actionable as a libel or slander

   2. (of a communication, document, etc) that a witness cannot be compelled to divulge

3. nautical (of a vessel) having the right of way

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Other Word Forms

• nonprivileged adjective
• quasi-privileged adjective
• unprivileged adjective

Etymology

Origin of privileged

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; privilege + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Last August, Gen Z activists began to share terms on social media such as "nepo baby", to describe the privileged children of the Nepalese elite.

From BBC

“I will always be grateful to the thousands of students and colleagues I have been privileged to teach and work with since coming to Harvard as a graduate student 50 years ago.”

From Salon

McInnes knows he is privileged to be able to use Ferguson as a sounding board after a glittering managerial career, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues with United.

From Barron's

Andrew held the role of "special representative for international trade and investment" between 2001 and 2011, giving him privileged access to senior government and business contacts around the world.

From BBC

Britain negotiated a 10% tariff rate last year and a government spokesperson told Barron’s “we expect our privileged trading position with the U.S. to continue,” in a statement Friday.

From Barron's

Related Words

• honored
• powerful