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

Explanation

When you're privileged, you enjoy some special right or advantage that most people don't have. You could be privileged to live in a lighthouse and have a spectacular view of the bay. People can be privileged in many different ways, but it always means that they're getting some unusual deal that others probably envy. You can be privileged because you have plenty of money and get to travel the world, or you can be privileged to know interesting people who inspire you. Another meaning of privileged is private or exclusive, as in privileged information that's only available to a few people.

Example Sentences

And, while I've been privileged to photograph all 15 of Tiger Woods' major victories, one image in particular took months of planning.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

In the background of a bar, a poster for Roberto Rossellini’s earnest humanitarian classic “Europa ’51” is visible, Jude obviously paying homage to a classic story about a privileged woman’s crisis of charity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Beasley Allen did so while working with consultant James Conlan, who previously worked as an outside counsel to J&J and had access to privileged information and litigation strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

With insurance and maintenance costs way up too, new-vehicle shopping is starting to look like a pursuit of the privileged.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

I felt privileged to be allowed in an area that was typically off-limits to other students.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

• honored
• powerful