Entitlement
/ɪnˈtaɪtlmənt/
nounB2
Definition
Entitlement is when a person feels they deserve special treatment, rights, or benefits, sometimes without earning them. It can also mean a legal or official right to have or do something, like receiving money from the government or access to services.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A feeling or belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges
- •He showed a strong sense of entitlement, expecting others to always help him.
- •Some people feel entitlement to success without working hard.
- •Her entitlement made it hard for her to accept criticism.
A legal or official right to receive something
- •The unemployed worker claimed his entitlement to government benefits.
- •Veterans have various entitlements such as healthcare and pensions.
- •The company explained the employee’s entitlement to paid leave.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "entitlement" like "right," but with a stronger feeling that you must have it, even if not earned
- ✓Picture a child expecting a gift just because they want it, not because they earned it
- ✓It's the feeling when someone thinks "I deserve this" without proof or work
- ✓Sounds like "in-TITLE-ment" → imagine having a "title" that gives you special rights or power
- ✓Think of stories where a king or queen has the "entitlement" to rule a kingdom by birth, not by choice
- ✓NOT like "request" (asking politely), entitlement means you believe you already have the right
- ✓NOT like "privilege" (special advantage given sometimes), entitlement is often a belief that you must have it
- ✓NOT like "right" (legal or moral permission), entitlement can be a feeling or belief, not always fair or true
Try Other Words
- •Privilege: a special advantage or benefit given to someone (Use when the advantage is granted by others, not necessarily expected)
- •Claim: a demand for something believed to be owed (Use when someone formally asks for something they believe is theirs)
- •Right: a legal or moral permission or freedom (Use when focusing on fairness or law rather than feelings)
- •Benefit: something good received, often from a program or government (Use when talking about official help or support)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "en-" (cause to) + "title" (name or right) + "-ment" (noun suffix meaning result or condition)
- •Etymology: From Latin "entitling," meaning giving a title or right to something
- •Historical development: Originally meant the act of giving a title or right; over time, it grew to mean the feeling or belief of having a right
- •Modern usage: Used both for official rights (like social benefits) and for the attitude of expecting special treatment
Reflect & Connect
•How can feeling entitlement affect relationships with others in daily life?
•Can entitlement be positive in some situations, such as protecting rights, or is it mostly negative?
Fill in the blanks
1.When someone has entitlement, they often believe they ___ special treatment without working for it.
2.Government programs provide entitlement to certain benefits based on ___ or need.
3.Unlike a simple request, entitlement means a person thinks they already have the ___ to something.
4.She showed entitlement by acting as if she ___ the best seat in the room.
5.Veterans have entitlement to healthcare, which means they have an official ___ to receive it.
6.People who feel entitlement may find it hard to accept ___ or rules.
7.Entitlement is different from privilege because entitlement is often a ___ belief, while privilege is usually given by others.