What does privilege mean?
Privilege means a special right, advantage, or benefit that is granted to an individual or group rather than being available equally to everyone. It can refer to practical advantages, such as access to a private club or exemption from a legal obligation, and it can also describe the social advantages associated with wealth, status, or membership in a favored group. The word frequently appears in discussions of education, taxation, workplace benefits, public services, and inequality, where it may sound either neutral or sharply critical depending on context. As a verb, privilege means to grant someone an exception or special benefit, but this use is relatively uncommon and formal. The term is related historically to private law and to the idea of a rule or exemption applying to particular people rather than to everyone.
A special right, advantage, or benefit granted to a particular person or group; in law, an exemption or immunity from a duty or obligation.
"The company offered senior employees the privilege of flexible working hours."
The noun is common in formal, political, legal, and social contexts. It may be favorable when describing a legitimate entitlement, but often implies inequality when used in reference to social advantage.
To grant someone a special right, benefit, or exemption from an obligation.
"The policy was designed to privilege small businesses by reducing their administrative burden."
This verb is less common than the noun and is usually formal. It can suggest either a deliberate exemption or, critically, an unfair advantage.
The regular plural is used for individual rights or advantages, as in “social privileges” or “legal privileges.”
"The agreement included several privileges for senior staff."
Privilege literally comes from “private law”: its roots point to an exception made for the benefit of someone rather than the rule applied to everyone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does privilege come from?
The word comes through Old French privilege from Latin privilegium, a term associated with lex, meaning law, and privus, meaning private or belonging to an individual. The original sense referred to law or an exception applicable to private persons, and the modern sense developed from the idea of a special legal right or exemption. English later extended the word to social advantages and privileges, while also using it as a verb meaning to grant an exception or special benefit.
Related word forms
How privilege is actually used
As a noun, privilege can be neutral, especially when referring to a formal legal right, but it often has a critical connotation when describing social advantage or unequal access. The verb is less common and is generally formal.