privilege

Everyday

1. A special right or advantage that only some people have. tree →
2. Something that makes you feel honoured and lucky: «It was a privilege to meet her.» tree →
3. An advantage some people have in life because of money, family or where they were born. tree →
4. (law) A legal right, such as keeping some talk secret. tree →
5. verb To treat one person or thing as more important than others. tree →

In the lessons

At school, privileges are rewards: staying in at break, being a monitor, golden time; bad behaviour can mean losing privileges. In ethics, pupils talk about privilege and fairness. Phrases: «lose your privileges», «an honour and a privilege», «a privileged background», «screen privileges».

Examples

• Year 6 pupils have the privilege of using the big field. tree →
• If you misbehave, you will lose your screen privileges. tree →
• It was a privilege to sing in the cathedral. tree →
• Driving is a privilege, not a right. tree →
• Some children grow up with more privilege than others. tree →
• The headteacher said it was a privilege to lead our school. tree →
• The prefects' privileges include their own common room. tree →
• Prisoner though he was, the King of the Sheep had still some powers and privileges. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: privi-LEGE, no «d» (not «priviledge»). Countable for special rights; uncountable for advantage in life. Adjective «privileged» (lucky, with advantages). A privilege can be taken away; a right should not be.