illuminati
n. plural-onlyn. a secret group of people who are believed to have special knowledge or power and control world events. People often use this word when talking about conspiracy theories.
n. a secret society or elite group alleged to exert clandestine influence over global affairs. When capitalised, it refers specifically to an 18th-century Bavarian secret society founded on Enlightenment ideals.
Some people believe the Illuminati control the world's banks.
The documentary explores how internet forums helped revive old myths about the Illuminati and their supposed symbols.
While the historical Illuminati were a short-lived group of rationalist thinkers, modern pop culture has transformed the name into a catch-all term for any perceived shadow government.
Plural in form and takes a plural verb; the singular 'illuminatus' is extremely rare in modern English.