ENGLISH
REFERENCE

privilege

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈpɹɪvɪɫədʒ// UK //pɹˈɪvɪlɪdʒ// priv·i·lege Archaic

n. a special right or advantage that only one person or a small group has. It often comes from having a high social position or a lot of money.

n. a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. Often used in sociological contexts to describe unearned social benefits.


SIMPLE

Education is a right, not a privilege.

CONTEXTUAL

The CEO enjoyed the privilege of using the company jet for personal weekend trips.

COMPLEX

In many legal systems, attorney-client privilege ensures that communications between a lawyer and their client remain confidential and cannot be used as evidence in court.

Synonyms
Origin

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”).

Usage

Often takes the preposition 'of' followed by a gerund or noun phrase. In its abstract sense, it is uncountable; when referring to specific rights, it is countable.

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