privilege
gb/pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/ us/pɹˈɪvɪlɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
special right or benefit
A special right or benefit that only some people have.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has the privilege of [doing something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
special privilege
|legal privilege
|enjoy a privilege
|grant a privilege
|abuse a privilege
Themes
society
|law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- Education is considered a privilege in many parts of the world.
- Only members of the club have the privilege of using the private pool.
- 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.
- I have the privilege to speak at the meeting.
- Only teachers have the privilege to enter this room.
- Driving is a privilege, not a right.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
legal immunity from disclosure
A legal rule that allows someone to keep certain information secret in court.
Usage pattern:
[someone] claims privilege over [information]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with general 'benefit'. In law, 'privilege' here means protection from revealing information, not a reward.
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.)
Collocations
attorney-client privilege
|diplomatic privilege
|claim privilege
|waive privilege
Themes
law
|communication
Examples
- The lawyer cited attorney-client privilege to refuse answering the question.
- Diplomats enjoy certain privileges under international law.
- 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.
- Diplomats have legal privileges in other countries.
- She claimed privilege and did not answer the question.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
grant special rights
To give someone a special right or benefit that others do not have.
Usage pattern:
to privilege [someone/something] over [someone/something else]
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.
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.)
Collocations
privilege certain groups
|privilege one view over another
Themes
society
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- The new policy privileges local suppliers over foreign ones.
- Some teaching methods privilege theory over practice.
- The system privileges those who can afford higher education.
Learner examples
- The rules privilege rich people.
- This school privileges sports over art.
- The company privileges experience over education.
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.