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Meaning & use

entitled

adjective·Academic

Last updated

UK/ɪnˈtaɪtld/
US/ɪnˈtaɪtld/

Meanings

  1. adjectiveafter a verb

    Having a legal or fair claim to receive something or to do something.

    Grammar: Followed by to + noun or to + verb: entitled to a refund.

    Patterns

    • be entitled to something
    • be entitled to do something

    Employees are entitled to two weeks of paid leave.

    You are entitled to a refund if the item is faulty.

    Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

  2. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    Believing that you deserve special treatment without having earned it.

    Grammar: Used about attitudes, usually critically: an entitled attitude.

    Patterns

    • feel entitled to something
    • an entitled attitude

    He acted entitled and expected a free upgrade.

    The customer's entitled behavior annoyed the staff.

    She felt entitled to the best seat.

  3. adjectiveafter a verbformal

    Given a particular title, as of a book or film.

    Grammar: Formal; more often called.

    Patterns

    • a book entitled something

    She wrote a book entitled Quiet Rivers.

    They watched a film entitled The Last Train.

    He gave a lecture entitled Memory and Time.

Word forms

comparativemore entitled
superlativemost entitled

Common combinations

entitled to compensation
Passengers were entitled to compensation.
feel entitled
Some people feel entitled to special treatment.
legally entitled
You are legally entitled to the money.
entitled attitude
His entitled attitude upset his coworkers.
rightfully entitled
She is rightfully entitled to her share.

Synonyms and how they differ

eligible
Eligible means qualified under rules, while entitled means having a right to the thing.
qualified
Qualified means having the needed skills or conditions.
privileged
Privileged means having an advantage, often by luck.
spoiled
Spoiled is harsher and describes a person who expects too much.

Opposites

ineligiblehumble

Word family

entitle verb
to give a right to
entitlement noun
a right, or a belief that you deserve things
title noun
the name of a work
untitled adjective
having no title

Commonly confused: entitled or titled?

entitled vs titled

Titled means having a noble rank, such as a lord, which is different from being entitled to something.

Practice

Tenants are ___ a written notice before the landlord can end the lease.

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