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

Example Sentences

But on Saturday, those two schools will compete for a chance to gain admission to an elite society of high achievers where no Ivy Leaguer has gone before.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Elegantly written, intimately detailed and infused with feeling, the book is a gripping, if sometimes speculative, account of these two remarkable women, their elite family and their tumultuous era.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The elite who felt threatened by his questions.

Read more on Salon

At a meeting on Sept. 12 with his higher-ups, Verdin said in his claim that he suggested the case be turned over to the elite Robbery-Homicide Division.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the USA defender showcased exactly why Chelsea were willing to pay the big bucks with a colossal display against Europe's elite side.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• aristocracy 
• celebrity 
• establishment 
• society