privileged

[priv-uh-lijd, priv-lijd]

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.

privileged

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonprivileged adjective
• quasi-privileged adjective
• unprivileged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of privileged¹

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

Example Sentences

He was one of the few to audition who understood that the privileged Felix was only nice because he never had to be mean, says Fennell, who praises the actor’s intellect and emotional intuitiveness.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“Sometimes privileged people don’t listen. Luckily, Lee does listen to a lot of people around him. And eventually, even if he doesn’t adhere to their advice, you know, he still hears them.”

Read more on Salon

"It would be easier to take a cab. I know I'm privileged, but it's more of a revindication. We need greener cities, with fewer cars," Bellerin says.

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“It kind of stunk that we lost. But I knew it was the last time I was going to put on a uniform. I was privileged to wear it for as long as I did.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Amelia tells Newsbeat she wants to use her "privileged position" to give people from less well-represented backgrounds access to the resources to start careers as creators.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• honored 
• powerful