noun
privilege
PRIHV-lihj
noun
1
A special right, benefit, or advantage available to some people but not others.
"Access to the exclusive lounge is a privilege reserved for first-class passengers."
"Growing up with wealth gave her privileges many of her classmates never had."
2
A rare or fortunate opportunity to do something.
"It was a privilege to meet the author in person."
verb
1
To give someone a special right or advantage.
"The policy privileges long-term employees over new hires."
How to Use Privilege
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA special advantage, right, or opportunity that not everyone gets.
Common pairings
a privilege to
special privileges
check your privilege
the privilege of
Word Forms
privileged past tense, privileges plural, privileges singular
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Access to the exclusive lounge is a _____ reserved for first-class passengers.
Etymology
From Latin privilegium, originally meaning a law made for or against a specific individual — from privus ("private") plus lex ("law").