special privilege: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, legal, academic, journalistic, often critical.
Quick answer
What does “special privilege” mean?
A specific right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group, not to everyone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group, not to everyone.
Often carries a connotation of an unfair or unearned advantage, suggesting exclusivity and inequality of access. Can refer to legal immunities, exclusive access to resources, or social advantages based on status.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and usage are identical. 'Privilege' alone is more common in AmE sociological discourse (e.g., 'white privilege'). The phrase 'special privilege' is equally used in legal/political contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both, associated with unfairness, cronyism, or elitism.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE political commentary, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “special privilege” in a Sentence
to have/grant/enjoy/abuse the special privilege of + V-ingto have/grant/enjoy/abuse the special privilege to + V-infa special privilege for + NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “special privilege” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Act does not privilege one group over another.
- They are privileged to have access.
American English
- The law should not privilege any specific industry.
- He is privileged to hold that position.
adverb
British English
- [No direct adverbial form for the phrase 'special privilege']
American English
- [No direct adverbial form for the phrase 'special privilege']
adjective
British English
- A privileged position.
- Privileged information.
American English
- A privileged class.
- Privileged communications.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising corporate subsidies or regulatory exemptions for specific companies: 'The new law grants special privileges to the tech giants.'
Academic
Discussing legal history, social inequality, or political theory: 'The aristocracy's special privileges were abolished after the revolution.'
Everyday
Complaining about perceived unfair treatment: 'Why does he get the special privilege of leaving early?'
Technical
In law, referring to specific immunities (e.g., diplomatic privilege, parliamentary privilege).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “special privilege”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “special privilege”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “special privilege”
- Using it neutrally for any perk (e.g., 'My special privilege is free coffee' – too strong a term for a minor benefit).
- Misspelling 'privilege' as 'priviledge'.
- Confusing it with 'special treatment', which is a broader concept.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always. It inherently contrasts a specific advantage with general norms, implying unfairness. In neutral legal contexts (e.g., 'parliamentary privilege'), it is descriptive but still denotes an exception.
'Privilege' can be broader (e.g., 'it's a privilege to be here'). 'Special privilege' emphasises the exclusivity and often the contentious, exceptional nature of the right, making it more pointed and critical.
Rarely. Even when describing a desired advantage ('the special privilege of dining with the Queen'), the phrase highlights the exceptional inequality of the situation.
It is a noun phrase consisting of the adjective 'special' modifying the noun 'privilege'. It is not a single lexical compound like 'greenhouse'.
A specific right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group, not to everyone.
Special privilege is usually formal, legal, academic, journalistic, often critical. in register.
Special privilege: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspeʃ.əl ˈprɪv.əl.ɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspeʃ.əl ˈprɪv.əl.ɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a standalone idiom, but part of the phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a VIP (Very Important Person) lounge at an airport. The sign says 'SPECIAL PRIVILEGE ACCESS ONLY.' It's a special (not regular) privilege (an advantage others don't have).
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCESS IS A GATED ENCLOSURE (The privilege is a key to a locked gate others cannot pass). HIGH STATUS IS UP (Those with special privilege are 'above' the common rules).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'special privilege' LEAST likely to be used critically?