in-group

American  

[in-groop] / ˈɪnˌgrup /

Or ingroup

noun

Sociology.

1. a group of people sharing similar interests and attitudes, producing feelings of solidarity, community, and exclusivity.

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in-group British  

noun

1. sociol a highly cohesive and relatively closed social group characterized by the preferential treatment reserved for its members and the strength of loyalty between them Compare out-group

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Etymology

Origin of in-group

First recorded in 1905–10; in- ¹ + group

Example Sentences

I wasn’t in the in-group, you know, the most popular kids.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

“An autocracy needs to create an in-group versus an out-group,” Corrales explained.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026

This suggests that rivalry strengthens in-group bonds and reinforces social identity.

From Science Daily • Nov. 11, 2025

Scapegoats are integral for a cult; they promote social cohesion, both by binding the in-group together over a common enemy, and by widening the gulf between members and outsiders.

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2025

You'd have formed your own in-group, as prisoners, dedicated to your own welfare.

From This Crowded Earth by Bloch, Robert

Related Words

• camp
• class
• clique
• club
• company
• crowd
• fraternity
• party
• ring
• school
• society