privilege
gb/pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/ us/pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 3000
kiváltság, előjog, jogi mentesség, jogi kiváltság, előnyben részesít, kedvezményez
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has the privilege of [doing something]
Education is considered a privilege in many parts of the world.
Az oktatás a világ sok részén kiváltságnak számít.
Only members of the club have the privilege of using the private pool.
Csak a klub tagjainak van meg az a kiváltságuk, hogy használhatják a privát medencét.
Voting is both a right and a privilege in a democracy.
With great privilege comes great responsibility.
He abused his privilege as a manager to access private files.
Learner examples
Going to school is a privilege in some countries.
Egyes országokban kiváltság iskolába járni.
I have the privilege to speak at the meeting.
Abban a kiváltságban van részem, hogy felszólalhatok az értekezleten.
Only teachers have the privilege to enter this room.
Driving is a privilege, not a right.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'privilege' with 'right'. A 'right' is something everyone should have, while a 'privilege' is special and can be taken away.
Meaning
special right or benefit
Collocations
special privilege
|legal privilege
|enjoy a privilege
|grant a privilege
|abuse a privilege
Synonyms
advantage (A general benefit; may not imply exclusivity as strongly as 'privilege'.)
|
entitlement (Implies an official or legal right, often with a sense of expectation.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (The opposite condition of having fewer benefits or rights.)
|
restriction (A limitation or rule that removes certain rights or freedoms.)
Themes
society
|law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
A special right or benefit that only some people have.
A right, advantage, or benefit granted to a particular person or group, often not enjoyed by others.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] claims privilege over [information]
The lawyer cited attorney-client privilege to refuse answering the question.
Az ügyvéd az ügyvédi titoktartásra hivatkozva megtagadta a kérdés megválaszolását.
Diplomats enjoy certain privileges under international law.
A diplomaták a nemzetközi jog alapján bizonyos kiváltságokat és mentességeket élveznek.
The witness claimed privilege and did not reveal the source.
Journalists sometimes argue for reporter's privilege to protect their sources.
Learner examples
The lawyer used attorney-client privilege to stay silent.
Az ügyvéd az ügyvédi titoktartásra hivatkozva hallgatott.
Diplomats have legal privileges in other countries.
A diplomatáknak más országokban bizonyos jogi mentességeik vannak.
She claimed privilege and did not answer the question.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with general 'benefit'. In law, 'privilege' here means protection from revealing information, not a reward.
Meaning
legal immunity from disclosure
Collocations
attorney-client privilege
|diplomatic privilege
|claim privilege
|waive privilege
Synonyms
immunity (Legal protection from penalties or obligations; broader than 'privilege'.)
|
exemption (Freedom from an obligation; may apply beyond legal testimony.)
Antonyms
obligation to testify (The opposite situation where one must give information in court.)
Themes
law
|communication
Definition
A legal rule that allows someone to keep certain information secret in court.
A special legal right that protects someone from having to give evidence, answer questions, or share certain information in court or other legal settings.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to privilege [someone/something] over [someone/something else]
The new policy privileges local suppliers over foreign ones.
Az új szabályozás a helyi beszállítókat részesíti előnyben a külföldiekkel szemben.
Some teaching methods privilege theory over practice.
Egyes tanítási módszerek az elméletet részesítik előnyben a gyakorlattal szemben.
The system privileges those who can afford higher education.
Learner examples
The rules privilege rich people.
A szabályok a gazdagokat részesítik előnyben.
This school privileges sports over art.
Ez az iskola a sportot részesíti előnyben a művészettel szemben.
The company privileges experience over education.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this verb form with the noun; as a verb it means to give priority or advantage, not just to have one.
Meaning
grant special rights
Collocations
privilege certain groups
|privilege one view over another
Synonyms
favor (To show preference toward someone; less formal than 'privilege'.)
|
advantage (To put someone in a better position; can be more neutral.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (To put someone in a worse position compared to others.)
Themes
society
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
To give someone a special right or benefit that others do not have.
To grant someone a special right, benefit, or advantage not available to others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
privilege
IPA
GB/pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/
US/pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
priv - ilege (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (priv)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: privilege
- Plural: privilege, privileges
Verb
- Base: privilege
- 3rd Person Singular: privileges
- Present Participle: privileging
- Past: privileged
Word family
Forms
privileges
noun
privileging
verb
privileged
verb
Negative and opposite forms
underprivileged
adjective
unprivileged
adjective
Advanced or less common
overprivileged
adjective
Expressions
check your privilege
1/t͡ʃˈɛk jˈʊɹ pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
informal
acknowledge your advantages
To think about how your life is easier because of your background or position, especially before judging others.
Examples
- Before you complain about the service, check your privilege.
- He told her to check her privilege when she dismissed the struggles of others.
with privilege comes responsibility
2/wˈɪθ pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ kˈʌmz ɹispˌɑnsɪbˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
rights bring obligations
If you have special rights, you also have important duties.
Examples
- As a leader, she knows that with privilege comes responsibility.
- With privilege comes responsibility—use your position to help others.
count your blessings
1/kˈaʊnt jˈʊɹ blˈɛsɪŋz/
idiom
informal
be thankful for what you have
To think about and be happy for the good things in your life.
Examples
- Even though you lost your job, count your blessings—you still have your health and family.
- She likes to count her blessings every morning before starting work.
count your blessings
2/kˈaʊnt jˈʊɹ blˈɛsɪŋz/
idiom
Be grateful for what you have
To think about the good things in your life and be thankful for them.
Examples
- Whenever I feel sad, I try to count my blessings.
- Instead of complaining, count your blessings.