entitlement

/ɪnˈtaɪtlmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈtaɪtlmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈtī-tᵊl-mənt en-/ (ame, mw)

entitlement — noun

  • entitlementsingular
  • entitlementsplural

1. permission, access, money, or another benefit that a person is allowed to receiv

1.名詞C1
釋義

permission, access, money, or another benefit that a person is allowed to receive because rules, an agreement, or a job says they should get it.

例句

Kwame checked his contract to confirm his entitlement to paid leave.

pattern: entitlement to + noun

After the flood, Ezra received a letter explaining his entitlement to emergency housing.

同義詞
  • right

    broader and more everyday; 'entitlement' sounds more formal and often appears in legal or policy language

  • claim

    focuses on something you can demand or ask for, especially when it is disputed

  • benefit

    names the helpful thing itself; 'entitlement' emphasizes the fact that you are allowed to receive it

反義詞
  • restriction

    a rule that limits what someone is allowed to receive or do

文法句型

entitlement to + noun

entitlement to + -ing

用法筆記

Most often used in administrative, legal, and workplace contexts. Very common in the pattern 'entitlement to + noun / -ing', which points to a specific right fixed by policy, contract, or law.

常見錯誤

❌The contract gives staff a privilege to paid leave.
✅The contract gives staff an entitlement to paid leave.
💡this sense refers to an official right written into rules or an agreement, not a special favor.

2. an attitude in which someone assumes other people should give them extra help, p

2.名詞C1
釋義

an attitude in which someone assumes other people should give them extra help, praise, or comfort even though they have not done anything special to deserve it.

例句

Niran's sense of entitlement annoyed the staff at the hotel desk.

collocation: sense of entitlement

Talia showed entitlement by demanding immediate service from everyone.

同義詞
  • self-importance

    focuses more on thinking you matter more than others

  • presumption

    more formal; suggests acting as if you have a right that has not been granted

  • arrogance

    broader and stronger; covers rude superiority in general, not only unfair expectations

反義詞
  • humility

    the quality of not placing yourself above other people

  • gratitude

    thankfulness for what you receive instead of assuming it is owed to you

文法句型

a sense of entitlement

用法筆記

Usually negative in tone. Very often appears in the phrase 'a sense of entitlement' and describes a mindset, not a real legal or moral right like sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌Parents should teach children entitlement from a young age.
✅Parents should teach children gratitude, not entitlement.
💡this sense is negative and refers to expecting special treatment.

3. a public benefit scheme that gives money or services to people who qualify under

3.名詞C2
釋義

a public benefit scheme that gives money or services to people who qualify under rules set by the government.

例句

The senator promised to protect Medicare and other entitlements in the budget.

policy use: entitlements in public spending

Constanza studies how new entitlements affect families with disabled children.

同義詞
  • benefit program

    plain term for a scheme that gives money or services to eligible people

  • welfare program

    often narrower and more strongly linked to social assistance for financial need

  • social program

    broader; can include services that are not legal entitlements

文法句型

an entitlement program

cut entitlements

用法筆記

Common in political and policy discussion, especially in American English. Distinguish from sense 1: here the word refers to the public scheme or category of benefits itself, not one person's individual right.

常見錯誤

❌The city launched a new entitlement for low-income renters.
✅The city launched a new entitlement program for low-income renters.
💡this sense usually names the public scheme, not the benefit in the abstract.