clique
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
noun
Related Words
Other Word Forms
- cliqueless adjective
- cliquey adjective
- cliquish adjective
- cliquishly adverb
- cliquishness noun
- cliquism noun
- cliquy adjective
- subclique noun
Etymology
Origin of clique
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
Explanation
A clique is an exclusive group of people or friends. Before Rudolph pulled Santa's sled through the fog, the clique of flying reindeer never let him play their reindeer games. In high school, the exclusive nature of cliques causes a lot of hurt feelings. Clique carries this less than nice feeling with it wherever it goes, whether it be a set of elites who surround a government official, a group of popular kids who don't let others join their group or the closed circle of people at the office who always make sure they get the best jobs.
Vocabulary lists containing clique
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Catcher in the Rye
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Bronx Masquerade
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His clique at OpenAI became known as “the pandas.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026
Miller was popular in the sense that she was part of a clique and had social status, but her former classmates said that popularity shouldn’t be confused with being well liked.
From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025
The only member of the clique of hyperscalers to authorize new buybacks this year has been Alphabet, which said back in April that it would purchase up to $70 billion.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025
But as the script by Holly Gent and Vincent Palmo Jr. notes, this clique is in transition.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025
Andie, the main character, had two boys who liked her: her best friend, Duckie, who was kind of weird but funny, and this rich guy Blane, who hung out in a snobby clique.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
