entitlement
en-TY-tuhl-muhnt
/ɪnˈtaɪtlmənt/
A legal right or official claim to guaranteed benefits, services, or privileges.
In legal and policy contexts, it denotes rights granted by statute; in psychological contexts, it can pejoratively describe an unwarranted belief that one deserves special treatment.
The story behind the word. Originally, 'entitling' meant giving a book or deed a title that proved ownership or origin. By the 19th century, it expanded to describe giving someone a legitimate legal claim or title to property and benefits.
Word relationships
- right: A right is a broad moral or constitutional protection; an entitlement is typically a statutory right to specific financial or administrative benefits.
- claim: A claim is a demand for something, while entitlement implies that the underlying legal right is already established.
- disqualification: Disqualification means losing the legal eligibility or right to receive benefits.
Commonly confused with
- privilege: A privilege is a special discretionary advantage that can be revoked; an entitlement is guaranteed by law when criteria are met.
Word family
- entitle (verb): To give a right or legal claim to something.
Collocations
- statutory entitlement
- entitlement program
- sense of entitlement
- benefit entitlement
Example sentences
- "Social Security is an earned entitlement program funded through payroll tax contributions." Public policy
- "Employees have a legal entitlement to paid annual leave under federal labor statutes." Statutory rights
Memory hook
If you hold the TITLE to property, you have an ENTITLEMENT to it. Title gives you the legal right.
When not to use
Avoid confusing the strict legal meaning (earned statutory right) with the modern colloquial critique of arrogance.
Fun facts
- In U.S. federal budget parlance, 'entitlement spending' includes Medicare and Social Security because spending is mandatory based on eligibility laws rather than annual congressional appropriations.
Related words
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