# entitled

/ɛnˈtaɪtəɫd/ (US) · /ɛntˈaɪtəld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/entitled
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. having a right to something

adjective · CEFR B2

having a legal or moral right to do or have something.

For teachers: possessing a legitimate legal or moral claim to a benefit or status.

- After working here for a year, you are entitled to three weeks of paid holiday.
- Under the new legislation, citizens are entitled to full disclosure regarding how their personal data is processed by third-party vendors.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'to'.

### 2. demanding special treatment

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

thinking you are better than others and deserve special treatment for no reason.

For teachers: characterised by a self-important or pretentious attitude; believing one deserves privileges without merit.

- The entitled customer shouted at the waiter because his table wasn't ready immediately.
- The documentary explores the friction between the local community and the entitled influencers who treat the town like a private film set.

Teaching tip: This is a very common modern criticism, especially when older generations talk about younger ones.

### 3. to give a title

verb · CEFR B2

to give a book, movie, or song a specific name.

For teachers: to bestow a title upon a creative work or a person.

- She entitled her first novel 'The Long Walk Home'.
- The author entitled the final chapter with a cryptic phrase that only made sense after the shocking conclusion.

Usage: In modern English, 'titled' is often preferred for books and movies, though 'entitled' remains correct.

## Examples

- He has an entitled attitude and never says thank you.
- The manager was tired of dealing with entitled customers who demanded discounts for no reason.
- Sociologists often debate whether the digital age has fostered an entitled generation that expects immediate gratification without the traditional requirement of long-term effort.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.