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. 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

adjective

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

Other Words From

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

The program’s detractors argue that the initiative is little more than a handout to wealthy elites.

From Fortune

An annual rite of recent autumns has been to wonder whether Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers truly belongs among the game’s elite signal-callers anymore.

From FiveThirtyEight

Researchers have suggested that these structures were places for ritual ceremonies, houses of social elites or protection from attackers.

From Science News

We want to make elite personalized coaching accessible to all.

From TechCrunch

Sure, there are those moments in elite sports when the ball bounces off the post and off a defender’s foot into the goal, but still, luck is not supernatural.

From Fortune

And they all travel affordably, busting the myth that travel is only for the elite.

From The Daily Beast

They then become members of the ultra elite Unit 121, granted premium housing and a well-stocked cupboard.

From The Daily Beast

"Our Siberian girls are admired more by Asian countries than by the West," Elite Stars school director Tatyana Fetisova told me.

From The Daily Beast

One of five top agencies in Novosibirsk, Elite Stars, recently was producing over 200 models every two to three months.

From The Daily Beast

Muslim leaders have accused the ruling elite of carrying out what they see as religious persecution.

From The Daily Beast

The wealthy elite sons and daughters of the hacienda studied at institutions of higher learning abroad.

From Project Gutenberg

None of these elite were making any effort to approach the buffet or the portable bar at the other side of the room.

From Project Gutenberg

On this much smaller sheet the elite type makes a better appearance with letters of this kind.

From Project Gutenberg

Here every Sunday exquisite music is rendered, and here come the elite to worship and to add liberal gifts.

From Project Gutenberg

Only the financially elite could afford to belong and play upon its tame nine-hole course.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exclusive
• silk-stocking