Definition

1. Noun:

   • A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group: A benefit not enjoyed by everyone, often due to status, position, or circumstance.
   • (Law) A right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor: This can include legal rights like the attorney-client privilege, which protects confidential communications.

2. Verb:

   • To grant a privilege or special advantage to someone: To bestow an exclusive right or favor upon a person or group.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Access to quality healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.
  • The lawyer reminded her client of their attorney-client privilege.
  • He had the privilege of growing up in a safe and supportive environment.

• Verb (less common):

  • The membership cards privilege them with early access to ticket sales.
  • Historically, the law privileged certain classes over others.

Advanced Usage

• "Privilege against self-incrimination": A legal right guaranteeing that an individual cannot be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal case.

  • He invoked his privilege against self-incrimination and refused to answer the question.

• "White privilege" / "Male privilege": Sociological terms describing systemic advantages possessed by white people or men based on their race or gender in a particular society.

  • The workshop aimed to educate participants about the often-invisible dynamics of white privilege.

• "It is a privilege to...": A formal phrase used to express that something is a great honor.

  • It is a great privilege to address this assembly today.

Variants and Related Words

• Privileged (Adjective):

  • Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

    • She came from a privileged background.
  • (Of information) Confidential and protected by law.

    • The documents are legally privileged.

• Privileging (Gerund/Noun):

  • The act of granting privilege or showing favor.

    • The policy was accused of privileging one community over another.

Synonyms

• Prerogative: An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group.
• Advantage: A condition giving a greater chance of success.
• Prerogative: A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.
• Immunity: Protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty.

Antonyms

• Disadvantage: An unfavorable circumstance.
• Handicap: A circumstance that makes progress or success difficult.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Check your privilege": An admonition to be aware of one's own unearned social advantages and not assume others share the same experiences.

  • Before criticizing her struggle, you should check your privilege.

• "Privilege of the floor": A parliamentary term granting a non-member the right to speak in a legislative assembly.

  • The expert witness was granted the privilege of the floor to present her findings.

Noun

1. (law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship
2. a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
   • suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males
3. a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

Verb

1. bestow a privilege upon