a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
"Students from wealthy families often feel they have an unfair privilege when their parents pay for private tutoring and expensive extracurricular activities."
a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
"suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males"
(law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship
"The attorney-client privilege protects communications made between a lawyer and their client from being revealed in court."
An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
"The medieval bishop claimed a papal privilege that exempted his cathedral chapter from paying taxes to the local king."
In plain English: Privilege is having special rights, advantages, or opportunities that others do not have.
"Having good health is often seen as a privilege that we take for granted until something goes wrong."
Usage: In everyday English, privilege refers to an exclusive advantage or special treatment enjoyed by someone due to their status rather than legal rights held by everyone. Use this term when describing benefits like VIP access or social advantages that are not guaranteed under standard rules for all people.
To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
"The king decided to privilege certain merchants by exempting them from all import taxes."
In plain English: To privilege something means to give it special importance or treatment over others.
"She decided to privilege her family's needs over hers when planning their vacation budget."
The word "privilege" comes from the Latin phrase prīvilēgium, which originally meant a special ordinance or law made for an individual. It entered English through Anglo-Norman and Old French to describe exclusive rights granted to specific people rather than the general public.