elitism
Americannoun
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practice of or belief in rule by an elite.
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consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.
noun
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the belief that society should be governed by a select group of gifted and highly educated individuals
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such government
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pride in or awareness of being one of an elite group
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of elitism
Explanation
The idea that a small, select group of people should get their way is called elitism. Rich politicians and academics alike are sometimes accused of elitism. People who are fans of democracy, believing that all citizens should be able to vote for their governmental representatives, are not likely to be fond of elitism. When governments are made up solely of members of the same family, social class, or specific demographic they can be accused of elitism. Ironically, the root of elitism is the Latin word ēligere, which means "to choose."
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.
As The Outline saliently noted in 2019, this disposition seemed to suggest a holier-than-thou elitism.
From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026
She comes across as preaching to her peers rather than seeking converts, a whiff of Oxbridge elitism.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
Burning Man Leftovers: These sculptures lack the gaudy grandeur of their relatives that are displayed annually at the festival in the Nevada desert but retain those works’ air of muesli-munching elitism.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
"She took away the elitism that was in fashion, and brought a democratisation, and made fashion this party that everybody else was invited to."
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025
It also imbued the sport with an aura of elitism that has lingered to this day.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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.
