entitle

[ en-tahyt-l ]

verb (used with object)

, en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling.

1. to give (a person or thing) a title, right, or claim to something; furnish with grounds for laying claim:

   His executive position entitled him to certain courtesies rarely accorded others.

   Synonyms: qualify, authorize

2. to call by a particular title or name:

   What was the book entitled?

3. to designate (a person) by an honorary title.

entitle

/ ɪnˈtaɪtəl /

verb

1. to give (a person) the right to do or have something; qualify; allow
2. to give a name or title to
3. to confer a title of rank or honour upon

Derived Forms

• enˈtitlement, noun

Other Words From

• pre·en·ti·tle verb (used with object) preentitled preentitling
• sub·en·ti·tle verb (used with object) subentitled subentitling

Word History and Origins

Origin of entitle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English entitlen, from Anglo-French entitler, variant of Middle French entituler, from Late Latin intitulāre; en- ¹, title

Word History and Origins

Origin of entitle¹

C14: from Old French entituler, from Late Latin intitulāre, from Latin titulus title

Example Sentences

“But that does not entitle Defendant to continued enjoyment of the assets to the detriment of the Plaintiffs to whom he owes approximately $150 million. It is, after all, the underlying policy of these New York statutes that ‘no man should be permitted to live at the same time in luxury and in debt.’”

From Salon

This will entitle them to an initial £200,000 interim payment.

From BBC

Disruption caused by things like strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, bad weather or other "extraordinary circumstances" does not entitle you to extra compensation.

From BBC

In the absence of a federal law, 13 states plus the District of Columbia have adopted paid family and medical leave laws, which entitle workers to paid time off to care for newborns or other loved ones who require care.

From Seattle Times

Are they suggesting that these wily migrants are thinking ahead to the future when voting for Democrats might someday entitle them to citizenship?

From Salon

Related Words

• allow
• authorize
• empower
• enable
• permit
• warrant