Birthright
/ˈbɜːθraɪt/
nounIntermediate📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
A right, privilege, or possession that one is entitled to by birth.
/ˈbɜːθraɪt/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
A right or privilege belonging to a person from birth.
It was her birthright to inherit the family estate.
💡 Simply: Something you're entitled to because you were born.
More Examples
2
He fought for his birthright, refusing to surrender his heritage.
How It's Used
Legal
"He claimed his birthright to the throne."
Cultural
"Their cultural birthright was threatened by the invasion."
From Middle English *berthright, from Old English *berþrīht, from *berþ ‘birth’ + *rīht ‘right’.
The term has been used in legal and cultural contexts for centuries, often associated with inheritance and nobility.
Memory tip
Think of 'birth' and 'right' combined – a right you get at birth.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"birth + right"
claim one's birthrightinheritable birthrightdeny birthright
Common misspellings
birthritebirthrightt
Practice
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written