privileged

adjective priv·i·leged \ ˈpriv-lijd , ˈpri-və- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of privileged

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

See privileged defined for English-language learners

See privileged defined for kids

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 of privileged from the Web

Week after week, a boy got the privileged assignment.

— megan thielking, STAT, "Justice for Jane Doe: A New York attorney becomes the face of a crucial abortion rights case," 11 Apr. 2018
Communications between a lawyer and his or her client are privileged – in other words, prosecutors aren’t supposed to use them.

— peter grier, The Christian Science Monitor, "Behind shock of Cohen raid, signs of a meticulous process," 10 Apr. 2018
Young footballers at top clubs are seen by many to be too privileged in the modern era, earning vast sums of money while still teenagers and occasionally losing perspective, humility, drive and motivation.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: How Lionel Messi Helps to Keep Man Utd Rising Academy Stars Grounded," 10 Apr. 2018
Their privileged interactions may well be fair game for prosecutors.

— cristian farias, Daily Intelligencer, "FBI Raids Show the Investigation of Michael Cohen Is No ‘Witch Hunt’," 10 Apr. 2018
Throughout his many years in ministry and in his personal life, Neale was known as a visionary leader and a faithful man of God, who invested in the lives of all who were privileged to know him.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Neale Owen McLain," 9 Apr. 2018
Many transgender people who aren’t as privileged as me are silenced every single day.

— lauren sundstrom, Teen Vogue, "Working in Beauty Empowered Me to Come Out as Trans," 31 Mar. 2018
Surely Beethoven, that profoundly democratic humanist, would be outraged to see it now, an exclusive and privileged thing, while the weak cried out for it.

— The Economist, "José Abreu died on March 24th," 28 Mar. 2018
In all, eight of the people who’ve been privileged to see the planet from a distance help explain its workings to the rest of us.

— ellen gray, Philly.com, "Will Smith, astronauts tell Earth's story in 'One Strange Rock'," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'privileged.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of privileged

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PRIVILEGED Defined for English Language Learners

privileged

adjective

Definition of privileged for English Language Learners

: having special rights or advantages that most people do not have
law : known only by the people who need to know

PRIVILEGED Defined for Kids

privileged

adjective priv·i·leged \ ˈpri-və-lijd \

Definition of privileged for Students

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

He comes from a privileged family.

Law Dictionary

privileged

adjective priv·i·leged

legal Definition of privileged

: not subject to the usual rules or penalties because of some special circumstance; especially : not subject to disclosure especially in an adjudicative proceeding

Learn More about privileged

Spanish Central: Translation of privileged Nglish: Translation of privileged for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of privileged for Arabic speakers

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privileged

Definition of privileged

Examples of privileged in a Sentence

Recent Examples of privileged from the Web

First Known Use of privileged

PRIVILEGED Defined for English Language Learners

privileged

Definition of privileged for English Language Learners

PRIVILEGED Defined for Kids

privileged

Definition of privileged for Students

Law Dictionary

privileged

legal Definition of privileged

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privileged

Definition of privileged

Examples of privileged in a Sentence

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First Known Use of privileged

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PRIVILEGED Defined for English Language Learners

privileged

Definition of privileged for English Language Learners

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privileged

Definition of privileged for Students

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privileged

legal Definition of privileged

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