privileged

privileged — adjective

1. Refers to a person or group that enjoys benefits, rights, or chances that most o

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

Refers to a person or group that enjoys benefits, rights, or chances that most others are unable to access. It also describes the sense of being deeply honored when offered a unique opportunity.

Example

Tomás grew up in a privileged family with access to the best schools.

collocation: privileged family

Only privileged employees were allowed to use the private lounge.

Common collocations
  • privileged family
  • privileged background
  • privileged position
  • feel privileged
  • privileged class
  • privileged status
Synonyms
  • advantaged

    A neutral, factual description of having benefits over others; less emotional than 'privileged'

  • fortunate

    Focuses on luck rather than systemic advantage; can be used in everyday contexts

  • honored

    Only for the 'proud opportunity' sub-meaning; used with 'feel' or 'be' + to-infinitive

Antonyms
  • underprivileged

    Direct opposite; describes people lacking basic opportunities or resources

  • disadvantaged

    Broader opposite; focuses on lack of advantages rather than legal or social status

Grammar Patterns

be privileged + to-infinitive

feel privileged + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Frequently used with the verb 'feel' or 'be' followed by a to-infinitive to express honor about a rare opportunity. Also common as an attributive adjective before nouns such as 'background', 'family', 'position', or 'class'.

Common Mistakes

He comes from a privileged family who are very rich.
He comes from a privileged family with many advantages.
'Privileged' refers to having advantages or opportunities, not merely to being wealthy.
I was privileged to attend the meeting' (when you simply attended).
I was glad to attend the meeting.
'Privileged' implies a genuine honor or rare opportunity, not just a positive experience.

2. Describes information, documents, or conversations that are kept confidential an

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

Describes information, documents, or conversations that are kept confidential and protected by law from being revealed in a legal proceeding or other official setting.

Example

The doctor's notes were marked as privileged and kept in a locked drawer.

collocation: privileged document / privileged information

Tamás refused to answer the question, saying the conversation was privileged by law.

pattern: be privileged by law

Common collocations
  • privileged information
  • privileged communication
  • privileged document
  • privileged discussion
  • privileged session
  • privileged by law
  • ruled privileged
Synonyms
  • confidential

    Similar meaning of secrecy, but without automatic legal protection from court disclosure

  • protected

    Broader term; can describe any legally shielded material, not only communications

  • off the record

    Informal expression for information not meant for public release, but with no legal force

Antonyms
  • public

    Open to anyone; opposite of confidential legal protection

  • disclosable

    Subject to being revealed in court or other official settings

Usage Note

Typically used of information, communications, or discussions that the law protects from forced disclosure — especially in legal, medical, and corporate settings. Not to be confused with 'confidential', which describes secrecy by agreement but does not carry the same legal protection from court orders.

Common Mistakes

I have privileged information about the surprise party.
I have secret information about the surprise party.
'Privileged' in this sense is a legal term; for everyday secrets, use 'confidential' or 'secret'.

Word family

  • privilege
    nounB2
  • underprivileged
    adjectiveB2
  • unprivileged
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe having something desirable that others lack, but they differ in what that 'something' is. 'Privileged' focuses on systemic advantages — rights and opportunities built into a person's circumstances, often from birth. 'Advantaged' is a more factual, less emotionally charged term describing any edge over others. 'Fortunate' centers on luck rather than structure: you can be fortunate in a single event, whereas privileged usually describes a lasting condition. 'Elite' refers to a select group at the top of a hierarchy, emphasizing status rather than opportunity. 'Exclusive' describes something restricted to a few people, focusing on boundaries of access. For example: a scholarship student at a private school is fortunate to attend, but not necessarily privileged within that setting; the school itself may be exclusive; its alumni may form an elite network; only those from well-connected families are privileged within it.

advantagedfortunate ↗elite ↗exclusive ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'privilege' comes from Latin 'privilegium', meaning a law made for or against a private person — from 'privus' (private, individual) and 'lex' (law). In ancient Rome, a 'privilegium' was a special legal rule for one person. By the Middle Ages, it had softened to mean any special advantage or right granted to a person or group. The adjective 'privileged' appeared in English in the 1600s, first carrying the legal sense of protected immunity and later broadening to describe social and economic advantages.