crème de la crème

American  

[krem duh lah krem, krem duh la krem] / ˈkrɛm də lɑ ˈkrɛm, krɛm də la ˈkrɛm /

noun

1. the very best; choicest parts or members.

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crème de la crème British  

/ krɛm də la krɛm /

noun

1. the very best

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crème de la crème Cultural  

1. The best of the best: “Our school's marching band is acknowledged as the crème de la crème.” From French, meaning “cream of the cream.”

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Etymology

Origin of crème de la crème

First recorded in 1840–50; literally, cream of the cream

Example Sentences

She told police: "I wanted her on the unit, I really did. When students come through the system you are almost able to hand-pick the creme de la creme and she was one of those."

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2024

"And then, the creme de la creme, you have to fight one another. With love," he said.

From Fox News • Jul. 14, 2021

“And then, the creme de la creme, you have to fight one another. With love,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2021

And I have especially never committed myself to English league soccer, the creme de la creme.

From Golf Digest • Aug. 5, 2019

I stand there, baffled, as they all file off to meet the creme de la creme of Baltimore's elite.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland