English Explanatory Dictionary

privilege

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
  2. A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
  3. An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
  4. The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
  5. A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
  6. A stock market option.
  7. A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
  8. An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.
verb
  1. To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
  2. To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
  3. To prioritize.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɹɪv.(ɪ.)lɪd͡ʒ/ /ˈpɹɪv.ɪ.lɪd͡ʒ/ /ˈpɹɪv.ə.lɪd͡ʒ/ /ˈpɹɪv.lɪd͡ʒ/ En-us-privilege.ogg

Word forms

privilege privileges priviledg priviledge privileging privileged

Etymology

From Middle English privilege, from Anglo-Norman privilege and Old French privilege, from Latin prīvilēgium (“ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual”), from prīvus (“private”) + lēx, lēg- (“law”).

Synonyms

claim liberty franchise immunity prerogative right freelage advantage foredeal permission

Related words

allege

Derived words

absolute privilege attorney-client privilege check your privilege cis privilege cisprivilege cis-privilege deprivilege disprivilege executive privilege exorbitant privilege green privilege immune privilege immunoprivilege jester's privilege legal professional privilege opinion privilege passport privilege Pauline privilege point of privilege pretty privilege privilege day privilegee privilege escalation privileger privilege walk privilegism question of privilege shopkeeper's privilege solicitor-client privilege son of privilege underprivilege viatorial privilege white privilege white skin privilege with privilege writ of privilege
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