elite

Or é·lite

[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.

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 called: twelve pitch. a typewriter typesize having 12 characters to the inch

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• antielite noun
• nonelite noun
• superelite noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of elite¹

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

Example Sentences

When Paetongtarn became the PM, it was seen as a comeback for the family - but her dismissal suggests they have again lost favour with the conservative-royalist elite.

From BBC

Many ordinary Indonesians criticize the government for primarily serving the interests of the wealthy elite even as youth unemployment soars and wages stagnate.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, once you know the basic premise of the show — it’s an elite military police procedural — it’s not hard to figure out where you are, wherever you drop in.

From Los Angeles Times

The state still provides ample opportunities for technological and financial elites but leaves behind a broad spectrum of the middle and working classes.

From Los Angeles Times

“Including exposing the cabal of rich and powerful elites that enabled this,” Greene wrote on X, adding she was “proud” to be signing the petition.

From Salon

Related Words

• aristocracy 
• celebrity 
• establishment 
• society