English Meaning & Definitions
A select group that is superior in terms of ability, qualities, or influence to the rest of a group or society.
- “The country's political and financial elite gathered for the annual summit.”
- “Only an elite few make it to the final round of the competition.”
A select group that is superior in quality, rank, or skill.
- “She joined an elite unit of special forces.”
- “The restaurant caters to an elite clientele.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “elite”.
Derived from the Latin 'eligere' (meaning 'to elect' or 'to select'), passing through the Old French past participle 'elit' (chosen, select). In the 18th century, the word began to be used in France to denote a select group of social superiors, before expanding into broader English usage in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Think of people who are 'elect'ed as the best of the best, forming the elite.
Frequently Asked Questions About “elite”
1. What is the meaning of “elite” in English?
In English, elite (noun) is defined as: “A select group that is superior in terms of ability, qualities, or influence to the rest of a group or society.”.
2. How do you use “elite” in a sentence?
“The country's political and financial elite gathered for the annual summit.”
3. What are English synonyms of “elite”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “elite”?
Derived from the Latin 'eligere' (meaning 'to elect' or 'to select'), passing through the Old French past participle 'elit' (chosen, select). In the 18th century, the word began to be used in France to denote a select group of social superiors, before expanding into broader English usage in the 19th and 20th centuries.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.