entitle
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to give someone the official or legal right to do or have something.
to confer a legal right or a just claim to receive or do something; frequently used in the passive voice followed by 'to'.
Simple“This membership card entitles you to a ten percent discount on all books.”
In context“The new legislation entitles citizens to access their personal data held by private corporations without paying an administrative fee.”
UsageCommonly used in the passive: 'be entitled to [noun/verb]'.
Antonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to give a title to a book, movie, song, or piece of writing.
to bestow a title upon a literary or artistic work.
Simple“She decided to entitle her first novel 'The Long Road Home'.”
In context“The author chose to entitle the final chapter 'Resurrection', providing a thematic bookend to the protagonist's journey.”
UsageOften used in the passive: 'a book entitled...'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
to give someone a special name or rank, like 'Sir' or 'Lord'.
to dignify a person by bestowing an honorary designation or noble title.
Simple“The king chose to entitle the general as a Duke after the war.”
In context“Historical records indicate that the monarch intended to entitle his closest advisors to ensure their loyalty during the transition of power.”
“Over the road, an Italian restaurant attracts customers with a £5 “Eat like Ted” offer that entitles you to a box of Ted’s favourite shortbread biscuits.”
From Anglo-Norman entitler, from Old French entiteler, (French intituler), from Late Latin intitulāre.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.