clique

[kleek, klik]

noun

1. a small, exclusive group of people; coterie; set.

verb (used without object)

cliqued, cliquing 

1. Informal.,  to form, or associate in, a clique.

clique

/ klɪk, kliːk /

noun

1. a small, exclusive group of friends or associates

Other Word Forms

• cliqueless adjective
• cliquey adjective
• cliquy adjective
• cliquism noun
• subclique noun
• cliquishness noun
• cliquish adjective
• cliquishly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of clique¹

1705–15; < French, apparently metaphorical use of Middle French clique latch, or noun derivative of cliquer to make noise, resound, imitative word parallel to click ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of clique¹

C18: from French, perhaps from Old French: latch, from cliquer to click; suggestive of the necessity to exclude nonmembers

Synonym Study

See circle, ring ¹.

Example Sentences

To make a music scene you need four things: cheap housing, recent art-school graduates, a stage where anyone can play and a small clique of young critics eager to discover a new subculture.

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The operation was aimed at "benefitting a power clique", a Hungarian EU official told Direkt36.

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Former captain Steven Gerrard's recent observation that they were simply "egotistical losers" also plays into the club cliques argument that has come to the fore since many retired as players.

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We are also now probing deeper into the corrupt networks and cliques that our actions have driven underground.

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Sir Mark also said: "Much more needed to be done to tackle the individuals and cliques whose appalling behaviour continues to let down their colleagues and Londoners".

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Related Words

• cabal 
• clan 
• coterie 
• faction 
• gang 
• mob 
• posse