What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
privilege
Example
As a white male, he had the privilege of not experiencing discrimination based on his race or gender. [privilege: noun]
Example
She was privileged enough to attend a prestigious university and receive a top-notch education. [privileged: adjective]
benefit
Example
The new job came with many benefits, including health insurance and paid time off. [benefits: noun]
Example
Eating a healthy diet can benefit your overall health and well-being. [benefit: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Benefit is more commonly used than privilege in everyday language and covers a wide range of contexts, such as work, education, and health. Privilege is less common and is often used in discussions of social justice and power dynamics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between privilege and benefit?
Both privilege and benefit can be used in formal and informal contexts, but privilege may be seen as more formal due to its association with academic and social justice discourse.
