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

Related Words

• aristocracy 
• celebrity 
• establishment 
• society