Word: entitlement (noun)

Associations

The word "entitlement" means having the right to something, usually because of a rule, law, or agreement. It often refers to benefits or privileges that a person is allowed to have.

• Example 1: "Employees have an entitlement to paid vacation days." This means employees have the right to take vacation with pay.
• Example 2: "Social security is an entitlement for retired people." This means retired people have the right to receive social security benefits.
• Example 3: "She felt a sense of entitlement to the inheritance." This means she believed she had the right to receive the inheritance.

A similar word is "right," but "entitlement" often refers to formal or legal rights, especially benefits. "Right" is more general and can refer to moral or legal rights.

Substitution

Other words or phrases you can use instead of "entitlement" are:

• right (more general)
• privilege (usually means a special advantage, sometimes less formal)
• benefit (focuses more on the advantage or help received)

Using "privilege" instead of "entitlement" can change the meaning slightly, as a privilege can sometimes be taken away, while an entitlement is usually guaranteed.

Deconstruction

The word "entitlement" comes from:

• prefix "en-" meaning "to cause to be"
• root "title" meaning "a right or claim"
• suffix "-ment" meaning "the result or product of an action"

So, "entitlement" literally means "the state of having a title or right."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where you have an entitlement at school or work?
• How do entitlements help people in society? Can they also cause problems?
• Have you ever felt you had an entitlement that others did not agree with? Why?