noun · formal

entitlement

/ɪnˈtaɪtəlmənt/en·TIT·le·ment

Band 7+speakingtask2

a right to receive something (often benefits or services) that is granted by law or policy

Examples

Many European countries guarantee healthcare as a social entitlement.

Raising public awareness about entitlements helps people claim benefits they deserve.

Some argue that expanding entitlements without funding risks the budget.

Band 8 sentence

Expanding entitlement programmes without clear funding mechanisms risks long-term fiscal unsustainability.

Collocations

  • social entitlement
  • entitlement to benefits
  • feel entitled

Word family

entitle verbentitled adjectiveentitlements noun (plural)

Common mistakes

People have an entitlement for healthcare.People have an entitlement to healthcare.

She is an entitled person.She feels entitled.

Say it for a higher band

5right6benefit7+entitlement

Synonyms

right

Easily confused

privilege

Access to higher education was regarded as a privilege rather than a right.

Related words

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In Society & Government

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