privileged

[ priv-uh-lijd, priv-lijd ]
/ ˈprɪv ə lɪdʒd, ˈprɪv lɪdʒd /

adjective

belonging to a class that enjoys special privileges; favored: the privileged few.
entitled to or exercising a privilege.
restricted to a select group or individual: privileged information; a privileged position.
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.
Navigation. (of a vessel) having the right of way.
Compare burdened.

Origin of privileged

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at privilege, -ed2, -ed3

OTHER WORDS FROM privileged

non·priv·i·leged, adjective qua·si-priv·i·leged, adjective un·priv·i·leged, adjective

Definition for privileged (2 of 2)

privilege
[ priv-uh-lij, priv-lij ]
/ ˈprɪv ə lɪdʒ, ˈprɪv lɪdʒ /

noun

verb (used with object), priv·i·leged, priv·i·leg·ing.

Origin of privilege

1125–75; (noun) Middle English; earlier privilegie (< Old French privilege) < Latin prīvilēgium orig., a law for or against an individual, equivalent to prīvi- (combining form of prīvus one's own) + lēg- (see legal) + -ium -ium; (v.) Middle English privilegen (< Middle French privilegier) < Medieval Latin prīvilēgiāre, derivative of prīvilēgium

SYNONYMS FOR privilege

1 Privilege, prerogative refer to a special advantage or right possessed by an individual or group. A privilege is a right or advantage gained by birth, social position, effort, or concession. It can have either legal or personal sanction: the privilege of paying half fare; the privilege of calling whenever one wishes. Prerogative refers to an exclusive right claimed and granted, often officially or legally, on the basis of social status, heritage, sex, etc.: the prerogatives of a king; the prerogatives of management.
4 license, freedom, liberty.

OTHER WORDS FROM privilege

priv·i·leg·er, noun pro·priv·i·lege, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for privileged

British Dictionary definitions for privileged (1 of 2)

privileged
/ (ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒd) /

adjective

enjoying or granted as a privilege or privileges
law
  1. not actionable as a libel or slander
  2. (of a communication, document, etc) that a witness cannot be compelled to divulge
nautical (of a vessel) having the right of way

British Dictionary definitions for privileged (2 of 2)

privilege
/ (ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ) /

noun

verb (tr)

to bestow a privilege or privileges upon
(foll by from) to free or exempt

Word Origin for privilege

C12: from Old French privilēge, from Latin prīvilēgium law relevant to rights of an individual, from prīvus an individual + lēx law