View synonyms for elite

elite

or é·lite

[ ih-leet, ey-leet ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

adjective

representing the choicest or most select; best:
The program is taught by an elite group of authors.

elite

/ ɪˈliːt; eɪ- /

noun

sometimes functioning as plural the most powerful, rich, gifted, or educated members of a group, community, etc
Also calledtwelve pitch a typewriter typesize having 12 characters to the inch

adjective

of, relating to, or suitable for an elite; exclusive

Discover More

Other Words From

an·ti·e·lite noun adjective
non·e·lite noun
su·per·e·lite noun

Discover More

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

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of elite¹

C18: from French, from Old French eslit chosen, from eslire to choose, from Latin ēligere to elect

Discover More

Example Sentences

First, as a fiscal-policy nerd with a raft of élite degrees, a technocratic tendency to lose an audience in details.

From The Daily Beast

His regular-guy persona flattered the élite by making them imagine they were regular guys too.

From The Daily Beast

"All the gentry and the élite of the neighborhood," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

Even in the few cases where they are welcomed among the élite, their work must always take precedence of society demands.

From Project Gutenberg

In order to assist him in his great necessities his friends got up lectures for him, which were attended by the élite of London.

From Project Gutenberg

It is anything but a true democracy, but it is government by the élite of their day and world.

From Project Gutenberg

The élite of wealth, learning, and culture to-day have generally given up the search for ends in life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

Browse