privileged

[ priv-uh-lijd, priv-lijd ]

adjective

1. belonging to a class that enjoys special privileges; favored:

   the privileged few.

2. entitled to or exercising a privilege.
3. restricted to a select group or individual:

   privileged information; a privileged position.

4. Law. (of utterances or communications)
   1. not rendering the person making them liable to prosecution for libel or slander, in view of the attendant circumstances.
   2. not requiring any testimony concerning them to be presented in court.
5. Navigation. (of a vessel) having the right of way.

privileged

/ ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒd /

adjective

1. enjoying or granted as a privilege or privileges
2. law
   1. not actionable as a libel or slander
   2. (of a communication, document, etc) that a witness cannot be compelled to divulge
3. nautical (of a vessel) having the right of way

Other Words From

• non·privi·leged adjective
• quasi-privi·leged adjective
• un·privi·leged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of privileged¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; privilege + -ed ³

Related Words

• honored
• powerful