rights

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Moral or legal entitlements that people are allowed to have or do.

   Grammar: Used as a plural noun; often with 'human', 'civil', 'equal', etc. Takes plural verbs: rights are protected.

   Patterns

   • human rights
   • civil rights
   • equal rights
   • rights for someone

   The constitution guarantees basic human rights for all citizens.

   She has been fighting for equal rights for women in the workplace.

   The new law aims to protect the rights of minority groups.

2. 2nounpluralbusinesslegal

   The legal authority to use or own something, especially creative work.

   Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'film rights', 'publishing rights'. Can be used with 'buy', 'sell', 'own'.

   Patterns

   • film rights
   • publishing rights
   • buy the rights to something

   The author sold the film rights to her novel for a huge sum.

   The company owns the rights to the software.

   He bought the rights to the song and now earns royalties.

Word forms

Common combinations

human rights

Human rights are protected by international law.

civil rights

The civil rights movement changed American history.

equal rights

She campaigned for equal rights for all citizens.

property rights

Property rights are essential for a market economy.

rights and responsibilities

Citizens have both rights and responsibilities.

Synonyms and how they differ

entitlements

More formal and often refers to benefits given by law; 'rights' is broader and can include moral claims.

freedoms

Focuses on the absence of restrictions; 'rights' emphasizes what one is entitled to.

Opposites

Word family

right noun

Singular form; a moral or legal entitlement.

rightful adjective

Having a valid legal or moral claim.

rightly adverb

Justly or correctly.

Commonly confused: rights or right?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “rights”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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