noun

elite

ih-LEET

noun

The smallest, most powerful or most accomplished group within a larger population.

"Only a small elite of engineers understood how the reactor actually worked."

"The tournament attracts the sporting elite from every continent."

adj

Regarded as the best of its kind, or belonging to a select top group.

"She trains with an elite squad of gymnasts."

"The hotel offers an elite membership tier with private check-in."

How to Use Elite

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe top tier — the smallest, most select group at the very best or most powerful end of something.

Common mistake

Often used loosely as a vague put-down ("the elites") in political speech, which can blur its more precise meaning of a genuinely top-performing or top-ranked group.

Common pairings

a small elite the ruling elite elite athletes elite forces

Word Forms

eliter comparative, more elite comparative, elites plural, elitest superlative, most elite superlative

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Fill the Gap

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Only a small _____ of engineers understood how the reactor actually worked.

Etymology

From French élite, "the chosen ones," from élire, "to elect" — ultimately the same Latin root as English "elect."

Rhymes for elite

rite bite lite kite cite mite site Vite white write trite smite

See all rhymes for elite →