How to Spell Privilege
Is it priviledge, or privilege?
Common Misspellings:
📊 One of the most commonly misspelled words in professional writing
You're Not Alone
"Privilege" is consistently ranked among the most frequently misspelled words in professional writing. The "priviledge" error appears in business documents, academic papers, and even published articles. Even confident spellers pause over this word because the middle syllable is hard to hear clearly. The confusion is universal - and completely fixable with a memorable visual trick.
Why This Mistake Happens
Unstressed middle syllable with schwa sound: When you say "privilege" out loud, the middle syllable sounds like "uh-lej" or "eh-lej," not a clear "I-lej." The schwa (neutral vowel sound) makes it impossible to determine from pronunciation whether it should be I or E.
Visual familiarity with -LEDGE words: English has many common words ending in -LEDGE: knowledge, edge, ledge, pledge, dredge. Your brain auto-completes to this familiar pattern, making "priviledge" look correct even though it's wrong.
Missing connection to "leg" root: Most writers don't know "privilege" contains the Latin root "leg" (law), which appears in "legal" and "legislature." Without this connection, the I in "privilege" seems arbitrary and hard to remember compared to the familiar -LEDGE pattern.
Word Origin
"Privilege" entered English in the 12th century from Old French "privilege" and Latin "privilegium" (law for or against an individual). The Latin word combines "privus" (single, individual) with "lex, legis" (law). The original sense was "a law affecting one person," which evolved into "a special right or advantage granted to a person or group."
Etymology Path:
Latin privilegium → Old French privilege → Modern English privilege
The Spelling Trick
"If I have a LEG up, I have a privILEGe"
Why it works: This spelling trick connects the idiom "having a leg up" (having an advantage) with the spelling of "privilege" (which gives you an advantage). The word "leg" shows you the exact spelling pattern: I-LEG. The conceptual and visual alignment creates a double-strength memory anchor.
How to use it: When you're typing "privilege" and hesitate between I and E, think: "If I have a LEG up, I have a privILEGe." The phrase reminds you that LEG (with I before it) is embedded in the middle of the word, preventing the "priviledge" error.
Examples in Context
Professional: "Access to the executive lounge is a privilege reserved for senior staff."
Casual: "Driving is a privilege, not a right - you can lose your license."
Academic: "The study examined how socioeconomic privilege affects educational outcomes."
Technical: "Database admin privileges must be granted explicitly for security reasons."
Formal: "It is a privilege to address this distinguished assembly today."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ priviledge - E instead of I (most common error, influenced by -LEDGE words)
✗ privelege - Missing the second I (hasty typing)
✗ privilage - A instead of E at the end (phonetic spelling attempt)
Quick tip: Look for the word "leg" hidden inside "privilege": priv-I-LEG-e. The I comes right before LEG. Think of it as having a "leg up" (an advantage), which is exactly what a privilege gives you. This connection makes the spelling unforgettable.