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

The third season of The White Lotus is already drawing praise for Mike White’s latest exploration of how terribly privileged people can behave in a beautiful setting. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025

Authors of Friday’s report wrote: The exploit, which targeted Linux kernel USB drivers, enabled Cellebrite customers with physical access to a locked Android device to bypass an Android phone’s lock screen and gain privileged access on the device. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025

The signs of strain had begun to present themselves in Fort Worth’s least privileged neighborhoods decades earlier. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025

This is a classically novelistic situation (indeed, a classically Adichie plot) — the privileged women’s insistence on justice contrasting with the survivor’s desire to put the whole thing behind her. —Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 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