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

In this context, the safest configuration is thought to be one with the most restrictive, least privileged, and safest settings by default. —Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

But the aperture of surveillance has expanded to cover people who are ordinarily more privileged. —ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026

The council met in closed session Tuesday night to discuss attorney-client privileged communication regarding legal action related to the denial, Zimmerman said. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026

The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? —Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 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