elitism

[ih-lee-tiz-uhm, ey-lee-]

noun

1. practice of or belief in rule by an elite.

2. consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.

elitism

/ ɪˈliːtɪzəm, eɪ- /

noun

1. 1. the belief that society should be governed by a select group of gifted and highly educated individuals

   2. such government

2. pride in or awareness of being one of an elite group

Other Word Forms

• elitist noun
• antielitism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elitism¹

First recorded in 1950–55; elite + -ism

Example Sentences

It ended with a call to action: "I will join. I will fight against corruption and against political elitism. Will you?"

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Clothing and jewelry are the artwork upstairs; the way the instruments and recording equipment adorn the bottom floor with purpose and function, chic without trying too hard, is elevated without any air of elitism.

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What do we owe places such as Malibu, where housing values have increased significantly with each post-fire rebuilding and which have made their elitism part of their identity?

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"She took away the elitism that was in fashion, and brought a democratisation, and made fashion this party that everybody else was invited to."

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"It goes in line with this sort of academic elitism that for something to be serious, it has to be a Shakespearean tragedy," she says.

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