privilege

Noun

1. (countable, historical, uncountable) An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
2. (countable) A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
3. (countable, uncountable) An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
4. (uncountable) The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
5. (countable, uncountable) A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
6. (US, archaic, countable) A stock market option.
7. (countable, uncountable) A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
8. (countable, uncountable) An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.

Verb

1. (archaic, transitive) To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
2. (archaic) To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
3. (transitive) To prioritize.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɹɪv(ɪ)lɪd͡ʒ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: privilege

In summary

From Middle English privilege, from Anglo-Norman privilege and Old French privilege, from Latin prīvilēgium (“ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual”), from prīvus (“private”) + lēx, lēg- (“law”).

Synonyms

right

prerogative

advantage

perquisite

franchise

charter

immunity

exclusive right

special right

favor

concession

honour

power

exemption

ownership

favour

authority

preference

entitlement

freedom

special rights

good fortune

special advantage

special favor

rare honor

special privilege

special favour

have authority

personal right

blessing

chance

🎲

claim

due

emolument

exception

glory

good luck

good omen

honor

law

lead

merit

patent

perk

precedence

preferential treatment

prescription

profit