adjective
Common
entitled
ihn-TYTLD
Entitled (adjective) means Given a particular title, as of a book or piece of writing. Example: “He wrote an essay entitled "The Cost of Silence.”
adjective
1
Given a particular title, as of a book or piece of writing.
"He wrote an essay entitled "The Cost of Silence.""
"She read a poem entitled "Morning Light" to the class."
"The report, entitled "Our Changing Towns", was published last week."
2
Having a legal or moral right to something.
"Employees are entitled to two weeks of paid leave."
"She felt entitled to an explanation after everything she'd been through."
"Every passenger is entitled to a refund if the train is cancelled."
3
Believing, often wrongly, that you deserve special treatment.
"The customer's entitled attitude made the whole exchange unpleasant."
"He's so entitled that he expects the staff to carry his bags."
"Nobody likes an entitled guest who demands the best table without booking."
How to use entitled
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "titled" (a book) or "having a right to something" — and informally, "acting like you deserve more than you do."
Common mistake
The negative, informal sense ("an entitled customer") is about attitude, not legal rights — context tells you which meaning is meant.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
entitled to
feel entitled
an entitled attitude
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more entitled
- Superlative
- most entitled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wrote an essay _____ "The Cost of Silence."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for entitled
See all rhymes for entitled →Frequently asked questions
What does “entitled” mean?
The word “entitled” means given a particular title, as of a book or piece of writing. In plain terms, either "titled" (a book) or "having a right to something" — and informally, "acting like you deserve more than you do.".
How do you pronounce “entitled”?
“Entitled” is pronounced ihn-TYTLD (/ɪnˈtaɪtl̩d/ in IPA).
How do you use “entitled” in a sentence?
Here is “entitled” used in a sentence: “He wrote an essay entitled "The Cost of Silence.".”
What is another word for “entitled”?
Words with a similar meaning to “entitled” include authorized and empowered.
What part of speech is “entitled”?
“Entitled” is an adjective.
Is “entitled” a common word?
“Entitled” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “entitled” have?
“Entitled” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: given a particular title, as of a book or piece of writing.
What is the difference between entitled and titled?
In the sense of having a name, entitled and titled mean the same thing: a book entitled War and Peace is the same as one titled War and Peace. Titled is often considered the cleaner choice, since entitled also carries an unrelated meaning of having a right to something. Both are widely accepted for naming works.
What is an example of entitled meaning named?
You might write, "She published a memoir entitled A Long Way Home," or "The report is entitled Growth and Renewal." Here entitled simply introduces the title of a written work, telling you what it is called. It has nothing to do with attitude or rights in this usage.
Does entitled always mean having a right to something?
No. Entitled has two distinct meanings. One is having a right or claim, as in being entitled to a refund, and a related sense describes someone who feels they deserve special treatment. The other, seen here, simply means given a particular title, as with a book or article. Context makes clear which is meant.
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