SAT Vocabulary: Understanding ‘Privilege’ and Its Usage
Learn about the word ‘privilege’ for the SAT. This video covers its definition as a noun and verb, pronunciation, etymology, synonyms, antonyms, and common usage errors. Improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills for the SAT with this essential term.
Imagine being first in line for a roller coaster just because your family knows the park owner. That’s privilege in action.
Today, we’re exploring the word privilege, a term you’ll likely encounter on the SAT and in everyday life.
Word type: Privilege is a noun, and it can also be used as a verb. When pronounced as a noun, the stress is on the first syllable: PRIV-i-lege.
As a verb, it’s pronounced PRIV-i-lege with equal stress on both syllables.
Meaning: As a noun, privilege refers to a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.
As a verb, it means to grant a privilege to someone.
Word history: The word privilege comes from the Latin privilegium, which combines privi, meaning private, and leg, meaning law.
It originally referred to a law affecting a specific individual.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for privilege include disadvantage, burden, and duty.
Synonyms: Synonyms for privilege include advantage, right, benefit, and prerogative.
Examples use in sentences:
As a noun: Access to quality education is often seen as a privilege rather than a right. As a verb: The company privileged its long-term employees with extra vacation days.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing privilege with right. A right is something everyone is entitled to, while a privilege is a special advantage.
Another error is using privileged when referring to feeling honored, as in I feel privileged to be here instead of I feel honored to be here.
Understanding privilege is crucial for the SAT, not just for vocabulary questions but also for reading comprehension and essay writing.
It’s a concept that appears frequently in discussions about social issues, economics, and history. By grasping its nuances, you’ll be better equipped to analyze texts and construct arguments in your SAT essays.
