Definition

Noun: 1. A right to receive or do something, especially one granted by law, policy, or a contract. * This is the core legal and formal meaning, referring to a guaranteed claim to specific benefits, privileges, or treatment. 2. The feeling or belief that one inherently deserves certain privileges or special treatment. * This is a common psychological and social usage, often with a negative connotation, describing an unjustified or excessive sense of deservingness.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Legal/Formal Right):
  • Full-time employees have an entitlement to paid vacation.
  • Social Security is a government entitlement program for retirees.
  • The contract outlines your entitlement to a year-end bonus.
• Noun (Perceived Deservingness):
  • His sense of entitlement made him difficult to work with.
  • They acted with an entitlement that offended the other guests.

Advanced Usage

• "Culture of entitlement": A phrase used to criticize a social environment where people routinely expect special treatment or benefits without corresponding effort or merit.
  • The article criticized the growing culture of entitlement among some students.
• "Entitlement spending" or "Mandatory spending": In government budgeting, this refers to funds that must be paid by law to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria for programs like Social Security or Medicare.
  • A large portion of the federal budget is dedicated to entitlement spending.

Variants and Related Words

• Entitle (verb): To give someone a legal right or a just claim to something. (e.g., )
• Entitled (adjective):
  • Having a right to something. (e.g., You are entitled to your opinion.)
  • (Informal, often pejorative) Behaving as if one has special rights or deserves privileged treatment. (e.g., He is so entitled; he expects everyone to do things for him.)

Synonyms

• Right: A moral or legal claim.
• Privilege: A special right or advantage granted to a particular person or group.
• Due: Something owed or deserved.
• Perquisite (Perk): A benefit or privilege attached to a job or position.

Antonyms

• Disqualification: The state of being barred from a right or privilege.
• Ineligibility: The state of not having the right to something.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A sense/feeling of entitlement: The subjective belief that one deserves special treatment.
  • Despite his lack of experience, he had a strong sense of entitlement to the promotion.

Noun

1. right granted by law or contract (especially a right to benefits)
   • entitlements make up the major part of the federal budget