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Definition of privilege noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    privilege

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ//
     
    , NAmE//ˈprɪvlɪdʒ//
     
     
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  1. 1[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.
  2. 2[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.
  3. 3[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. Thesauruspleasure
    • delight
    • joy
    • privilege
    • treat
    • honor
    These are all words for things that make you happy or bring you enjoyment.
    • pleasure a thing that brings you enjoyment or satisfaction:the pleasures and pains of everyday life It's been a pleasure talking with you.
    • delight a thing or person that brings you great enjoyment or satisfaction:the delights of living in the country
    • joy a thing or person that brings you great enjoyment or happiness:the joys and sorrows of childhood
    pleasure, delight, or joy?
    • A delight or a joy is greater than a pleasure; a person, especially a child, can be a delight or joy, but not a pleasure;joys are often contrasted with sorrows, but delights are not.
    • privilege (somewhat 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 someone enjoyed or is likely to enjoy very much:You've never been to this area before? Then you're in for a real treat.
    • honor (formal) something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect:It was a great honor to be invited to speak here today.
    Patterns
    • the pleasures/delights/joys of something
    • It's a great pleasure/joy >to me that…>
    • It's a pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat/honor >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/honor
    • a rare joy/privilege/treat/honor
  4. 4[countable, uncountable] (technology) a special right to do or say things without being punished Congressional privilege (= the special right of members of Congress to say particular things without risking legal action) breach of privilege (= the breaking of rules about what a member of Congress can say and do)
See privilege in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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