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

Justice will be reserved only for those privileged enough not to fear arrest. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Only the heads of state of Italy and the pope’s native Argentina will get privileged seats. —Emma Bubola, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

The women agree on a next move: Kate will kill Joe alone; the other women have been through too much and Kate, the white, privileged member of this trio, is prepared to do penance for her multitude of crimes and criminally complicit acts. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025

This week’s cold open answered that question of why: 33 years ago, Andrew witnessed Crawford, then a privileged teenager with a temper, kill a young woman who rebuffed his advances. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025

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