Privilege — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈpriv-lij/ priv·i·lege

Meaning & Definition of Privilege

Privilege (noun)

  1. a right, exemption, or immunity granted as a particular benefit, advantage, or favor, prerogative; especially, one attached specifically to a position or an office
  2. a right or benefit given to some people but not others
  3. the advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people in a society

Privilege (verb)

  1. to grant a privilege to
  2. to accord a higher value or superior position to

Privilege (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something granted as a special favor

    "the town's oldest resident will have the privilege of leading the parade kicking off the Heritage Celebration"

    similar: appanage, boon, concession, honor
    related: courtesy, claim, entitlement, right, birthright, perquisite, prerogative, charter, grant, patent, exemption, immunity, waiver
    near: burden, duty, obligation, responsibility

Privilege (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give a right to

    "only professionals who meet the education and experience requirements set by law are privileged to use the title interior designer in Oklahoma"

    similar: authorize, entitle, qualify
    related: empower, enable, enfranchise, license, approve, endorse, allow, let, permit, accredit, certificate, certify, charter (British), ratify, legitimize, sanction, validate, warrant, reaccredit, reapprove, recertify, recharter, revalidate
    opposite: disqualify
    near: disable, disempower, disenfranchise, decertify, disallow, forbid, proscribe, delegitimize, invalidate, nullify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Privilege

The most common words with a similar meaning to Privilege:

appanage, boon, concession, honor, authorize, entitle, qualify

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Privilege

Words with the opposite meaning of Privilege:

disqualify

Related Words for Privilege

courtesy, claim, entitlement, right, birthright, perquisite, prerogative, charter, grant, patent, exemption, immunity, waiver, empower, enable, enfranchise, license, approve, endorse, allow, let, permit, accredit, certificate, certify, ratify, legitimize, sanction, validate, warrant

Near Antonyms of Privilege

burden, duty, obligation, responsibility, disable, disempower, disenfranchise, decertify, disallow, forbid, proscribe, delegitimize, invalidate, nullify

Word Forms of Privilege

Inflections: privileged, privileging

Origin & Etymology of Privilege

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin privilegium law for or against a private person, from privus private + leg-, lex law

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Privilege

Words & Phrases Containing Privilege

executive privilege, water privilege, white privilege

Frequently Asked Questions about Privilege

What does "Privilege" mean?

"Privilege" means a right, exemption, or immunity granted as a particular benefit, advantage, or favor, prerogative; especially, one attached specifically to a position or an office. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a right, exemption, or immunity granted as a particular benefit, advantage, or favor, prerogative; especially, one attached specifically to a position or an office. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Privilege"?

Other words for "Privilege" include appanage, boon, concession, honor, authorize, entitle and qualify. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Privilege" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Privilege"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Privilege". Common alternatives include appanage, boon, concession, honor, authorize, entitle and qualify.

What is the opposite of "Privilege"?

Antonyms of "Privilege" include disqualify. Near antonyms include burden, duty, obligation and responsibility.

How do you use "Privilege" in a sentence?

Examples of "Privilege" in a sentence: "the town's oldest resident will have the privilege of leading the parade kicking off the Heritage Celebration"; "only professionals who meet the education and experience requirements set by law are privileged to use the title interior designer in Oklahoma".

Is "Privilege" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Privilege" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Privilege" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Privilege" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Privilege"?

"Privilege" is pronounced /ˈpriv-lij/ and divided into syllables as priv·i·lege.