elite

American  

[ih-leet, ey-leet] / ɪˈlit, eɪˈlit /

Or élite

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.

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adjective

1. representing the choicest or most select; best.

   The program is taught by an elite group of authors.

elite British  

/ 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

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adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• antielite noun
• nonelite noun
• superelite noun

Etymology

Origin of elite

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

Example Sentences

Levi is not a medical doctor, instead his background is in mathematics and operations research and he also served as an intelligence officer of the elite Israeli Intelligence Corps.

From Salon

"He is more educated, and trained in dealing with political elites and party backrooms," said Mayra Goulart, political science professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

From Barron's

He is best known for the 1970 novel A World for Julius, which chronicled the frivolous lives of the elite in Peru's capital Lima through the eyes of an orphan.

From BBC

That upset Virgil’s fans, along with most of the elite Black fashion community.

From Salon

The run here established Fritz as the de facto face of American men’s tennis and elevated him to more elite echelons in the sport.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aristocracy
• celebrity
• establishment
• society