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

But viewers with affection for a certain region of the United States perked up a little later in the episode, as a privileged, preppy family from North Carolina arrived by boat. —Rick Rojas, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

Each season, a group of privileged visitors check into one of the luxurious White Lotus resorts, which are in various exotic locales across the globe. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Both Springora and Kouchner questioned the loosening of mores after May ’68 among a privileged class and by a generation whose assault on taboos also served as cover for crimes against children. —Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025

One of the most prominent themes of this series is that the privileged never suffer any real-world consequences—only existential angst. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 4 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