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

We’re privileged to be part of something that’s saying something about the world and has the ability to enact change in the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

He was represented by counsel and had already received privileged communications from his defense attorneys.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The former Duke of York served as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, enjoying privileged access to senior government and business contacts around the world.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 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

And no one was considered to be even remotely beautiful, privileged because of a random twist in their genes.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• honored
• powerful