privilege
noun /ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ/
/ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ/
- [countable] a special right or advantage that a particular person or group of people has
- Education should be a universal right and not a privilege.
- You can enjoy all the benefits and privileges of club membership.
- Try not to abuse the privilege of being allowed more freedom.
Extra Examples- Club members have special privileges, like being allowed to use the swimming pool.
- Prisoners' behaviour is controlled by a system of punishments and privileges.
- Real choice in education remains the privilege of the middle classes.
- Top party officials were accused of granting privileges to their friends and family.
- He was accused of abusing his diplomatic privileges.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- exclusive
- special
- class
- …
- enjoy
- exercise
- have
- …
- [uncountable] (disapproving) the rights and advantages that rich and powerful people in a society have
- As a member of the nobility, his life had been one of wealth and privilege.
- [singular] something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do synonym honour
- I hope to have the privilege of working with them again.
- It was a great privilege to hear her sing.
Synonyms pleasurepleasure- delight
- joy
- privilege
- treat
- honour
- pleasure a thing that makes you happy or satisfied:
- the pleasures and pains of everyday life
- It’s been a pleasure meeting you.
- delight a thing or person that brings you great pleasure:
- the delights of living in the country
- joy a thing or person that brings you great pleasure or happiness:
- the joys and sorrows of childhood
- privilege (rather formal) something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do:
- It was a great privilege to hear her sing.
- treat (informal) a thing that somebody enjoyed or is likely to enjoy very much:
- You’ve never been to this area before? Then you’re in for a real treat.
- honour (formal) something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect:
- It was a great honour to be invited here today.
- the pleasures/delights/joys of something
- It’s a great pleasure/joy to me that…
- It’s a pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat/honour to do something
- It’s a pleasure/delight/joy to see/find…
- a pleasure/delight/joy to behold/watch
- a real pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat
- a great pleasure/joy/privilege/honour
- a rare joy/privilege/treat/honour
Extra Examples- It is a great privilege to be attending this conference.
- She had the rare privilege of a viewing of his private art collection.
- I was given the dubious privilege of organizing the summer fair.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- enormous
- great
- rare
- …
- have
- give somebody
- [countable, uncountable] (specialist) a special right to do or say things without being punished
- parliamentary privilege (= the special right of members of parliament to say particular things without risking legal action)
- breach of privilege (= the breaking of rules about what a member of parliament can say and do)
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin privilegium ‘bill or law affecting an individual’, from privus ‘private’ + lex, leg- ‘law’.