entitlement
en-TITE-ul-munt
/ɪnˈtaɪtəlmənt/
The fact of having a right to something.
In a retirement context, it refers to benefits you are legally owed, like Social Security.
The story behind the word. From the Old French 'entitler', meaning to give a 'title' to something. If you have an entitlement, you have the 'title' to that benefit—it belongs to you by name.
Word relationships
- right: A more fundamental, often moral or constitutional claim.
- claim: Implies you might have to prove you deserve it.
- disqualification: Being barred from a right or benefit.
Commonly confused with
- privilege: An entitlement is a right; a privilege is a special favor that can be taken away.
Word family
- entitle (verb): To give someone a right to something.
Collocations
- entitlement program
- legal entitlement
- sense of entitlement
Example sentences
- "The debate over entitlement spending has become a central issue in the upcoming election." Public Policy
- "Your entitlement to a redundancy payment depends on your length of service." Employment Law
Memory hook
If you have the 'title' to a car, you have an 'entitlement' to drive it. The right to the title.
When not to use
In modern social contexts, 'entitlement' can have a negative connotation (feeling you deserve special treatment). Use 'right' or 'benefit' if you want to avoid that baggage.
Fun facts
- 'Entitlement programs' in the US, like Medicare, are so named because the law 'entitles' anyone who meets the criteria to receive them.
Related words
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