privileged

adjective

priv·​i·​leged ˈpriv-lijd 

ˈpri-və-

1

: having or enjoying one or more privileges

privileged classes

2

: not subject to the usual rules or penalties because of some special circumstance

especially : not subject to disclosure in a court of law

a privileged communication

Examples of privileged in a Sentence

He comes from a very privileged background.

The town attracts people who are wealthy and privileged.

The President's adviser has a privileged position of trust.

She had privileged access to the files.

Only the privileged few can become members of the club.

Recent Examples on the Web

And Yokohama ably depicts a privileged young man who rightly views his good fortune as both blessing and curse. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Others are adopted into privileged spaces, only to remain marked as Other, inhabiting shared environments without ever receiving full acceptance. —Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026

The twins’ carefree, privileged lives felt worlds apart from mine. —Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026

In his role as trade envoy, Andrew was tasked with promoting British business interests abroad, according to the BBC, and would have had privileged access to senior officials around the globe. —Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing privileged

• be privileged

Rhymes for privileged

• underprivileged
• unprivileged

Kids Definition

privileged

adjective

priv·​i·​leged

ˈpriv(-ə)-lijd

: having more things and a better chance in life than most people

privileged classes of society

Legal Definition

privileged

adjective

priv·​i·​leged

: not subject to the usual rules or penalties because of some special circumstance

especially : not subject to disclosure especially in an adjudicative proceeding