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View synonyms for

elite

or é·ٱ

[ ih-leet, ey-leet ]

noun

  1. (used with a plural verb) the choicest or best of anything considered collectively, especially of a group or class of people:

    The elite of the contemporary art scene were all represented at the gallery.

  2. (used with a plural verb)
    1. people of the highest financial or social level of society:

      Only the elite received invites to the event.

    2. a group of people exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group:

      The scandal involved most members of the political party's power elite.

  3. a member of a group of people who have a great deal of power, influence, or social capital:

    The elites don't care about ordinary people's problems.

  4. a type, widely used in typewriters, that is approximately 10-point in size and has 12 characters to the inch. Compare pica 1.


adjective

  1. representing the choicest or most select; best:

    The program is taught by an elite group of authors.

elite

/ ɪˈliːt; eɪ- /

noun

  1. sometimes functioning as plural the most powerful, rich, gifted, or educated members of a group, community, etc
  2. Also calledtwelve pitch a typewriter typesize having 12 characters to the inch
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or suitable for an elite; exclusive
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ·پ··ٱ noun adjective
  • ԴDz··ٱ noun
  • ···ٱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of elite1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English elit “a person elected to office,” from Middle French e(s)lit, past participle of e(s)lire “to choose”; elect
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Word History and Origins

Origin of elite1

C18: from French, from Old French eslit chosen, from eslire to choose, from Latin ŧ to elect
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The audits are the latest in a barrage of administrative actions against elite universities around the country.

From

It also referenced "the Great Replacement", a conspiracy theory that elites are seeking to replace the populations of western nations with immigrants.

From

These same public voices and elites have a credibility and legitimacy problem.

From

It was not long before the spectacle of the London Marathon captured his imagination and he nagged his parents to help him peer over the barriers for a closer look at the elites.

From

Sophie Lloyd says she disguised herself as a man to fool examiners into letting her join the elite society in 1991, at a time female magicians were not allowed to be members.

From

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Elissaelitism