The spelling of the word "entitled" may seem confusing due to the pronunciation. Using phonetic transcription in IPA, the word is pronounced as [ɪnˈtaɪ.tld]. The "en-" prefix is pronounced as [ɛn] and the "-tled" suffix is pronounced as [tld]. The tricky part lies in the "-ti-" in the middle of the word, which is pronounced as [taɪ]. This word means that someone has a right to something or is deserving of it. Despite the spelling challenge, it is an everyday and essential word in our vocabulary.
Entitled is an adjective that refers to someone who believes they have a right to certain privileges or benefits, often without deserving them or earning them. It describes a person who feels they are inherently deserving of special treatment or consideration, solely based on their own perception of their importance or entitlement.
The term "entitled" can also be used to describe someone who asserts their rights or demands specific treatment, often in a self-centered or selfish way. Such individuals display a sense of entitlement, expecting preferential treatment regardless of whether they have truly earned it.
This sense of entitlement can manifest in various areas of life, such as entitlement to wealth, success, or recognition. It is commonly associated with an attitude of superiority and disregard for the needs or perspectives of others.
Critics of entitlement argue that it can lead to a lack of gratitude, empathy, or humility. They argue that an entitled mentality can result in a sense of entitlement to resources or privileges that are limited or intended for others in need. In contrast, proponents of entitlement emphasize the importance of recognizing one's own worth and advocating for fair treatment and opportunities.
Overall, "entitled" characterizes an individual who believes they are inherently deserving of special treatment or benefits, often without considering the perspectives or requirements of others.
Named; having a claim to.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word entitled has its origins in Old French, tracing back to the verb entituler which meant to give a title or name to or to entitle. This Old French term was derived from the Latin word intitulare, which had a similar meaning of to entitle or to give a title to. The Latin word intitulare was a combination of the prefix in- (meaning in or on) and titulus (meaning title or inscription). Over time, the Old French entituler evolved into the Middle English term entitelen, which eventually became modern English entitled.