privileged

American  

[priv-uh-lijd, priv-lijd] / ˈprɪv ə lɪdʒd, ˈprɪv lɪdʒd /

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.

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privileged British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonprivileged adjective
• quasi-privileged adjective
• unprivileged adjective

Etymology

Origin of privileged

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

Example Sentences

Beasley Allen did so while working with consultant James Conlan, who previously worked as an outside counsel to J&J and had access to privileged information and litigation strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Those existing rules say, “You must never use privileged or confidential information for personal gain or tell, ‘tip,’ or share information you learned through work with others.”

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

"There is documentation of individuals being able to pay a fee to have a more privileged place of burial," explained Kelmelis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

"I do feel very privileged to be part of making history."

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

As you may remember, the Wilhelm Gustloff was built not for luxury cruising of the privileged.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Related Words

• honored
• powerful