Word
elite
US/eɪˈɫit/
UK/ɪlˈiːt/
Definitions
01powerful social group
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a small group of people who have a lot of power and influence because of their money, education, or social position.
n. a social group or class that exercises dominant influence or control within a society due to wealth, status, or political power.
日本語:エリート※
“The country's political elite met behind closed doors to discuss the new laws.”
“Critics argue that the economic elite often shape national policy to protect their own interests rather than those of the general public.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02top performers
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the very best people in a particular group, such as the best athletes or students.
n. individuals who are considered the most skilled or capable within a specific field or activity.
“Only the sporting elite are invited to compete in this international tournament.”
“The university aims to recruit the intellectual elite from across the globe to join its research programmes.”
Antonyms
03superior or top-tier
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. belonging to the best or most powerful group.
adj. representing the most select or superior members of a group; often used attributively to describe high-status institutions or units.
“He joined an elite group of soldiers who handle the most dangerous missions.”
“The academy provides elite training for young musicians who show exceptional promise in classical performance.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “elite” in context.
Verb
01. challenge the elite
“The populist movement sought to challenge the elite that had dominated politics for decades.”
verb + noun
02. join the elite
“After years of training, she finally joined the elite of professional tennis players.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. entrenched elite
“It is difficult to implement systemic reforms when an entrenched elite holds all the power.”
adj + noun
04. intellectual elite
“The university's faculty is widely considered to be part of the country's intellectual elite.”
adj + noun
05. ruling elite
“The ruling elite often faces criticism for being out of touch with the working class.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. member of the elite
“As a member of the elite, he had access to resources that were unavailable to the general public.”
noun + of + noun
07. power elite
“Sociologists often study how the power elite influences national policy behind closed doors.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. among the elite
“The brand is highly regarded among the elite for its exclusivity and craftsmanship.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“This is a grim irony, and one that should prompt serious self-reflection by an elite institution that should have known better than to be so careless.” “Nor should he try to, because the charge would be stupid; indeed, the kind of thing that an elite billionaire like Peter Thiel would say.” “He kind of writes about how, ‘I was growing up, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to go to these elite institutions.” Etymology
From Middle English elit, from Old French elit, eslit (“chosen, elected”) past participle of elire, eslire (“to choose, elect”), from Latin eligere (“to choose, elect”), with past participle electus; see elect.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/elite
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0