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

Example Sentences

"I'm living in a fairly privileged situation, in some senses."

From BBC

His children, who had privileged upbringings and were educated overseas, will have no trouble fending for themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

Edinburgh University has warned students from privileged backgrounds not to be "snobs" towards their peers from Scottish and working-class backgrounds.

From BBC

"I think we're extremely privileged to have people who can recognise these issues, but the grades you get in your education do determine what happens in your career."

From BBC

America’s privileged elites have set a terrible precedent, and in so doing, have merely encouraged even more extortionate threats.

From Salon

Related Words

• honored
• powerful