Words / B2

in-TYTLM-uh-nt/ɪnˈtaɪtlmənt/

Entitlement is an official right: holiday entitlement; benefit entitlement. It can also criticise an attitude of expecting privilege (a sense of entitlement). Entitle is the verb. Right is everyday; benefit is a specific payment. Uncountable in HR. Do not confuse with title (Mr, Dr, a book title).

Meaning

The official right to have or do something; also, negatively, an attitude of expecting special treatment.

Examples

• “Check your holiday entitlement in the staff handbook.”
• “Check your holiday entitlement in the handbook.”
• “A sense of entitlement in the email offended the volunteers, which is the critical sense.”

Good to know

holiday / pension / benefit entitlement. Verb: entitle. Critical: a sense of entitlement. Mix-up: title. HR uncountable.

Near in meaning

right

New