Clique Meaning
/kliːk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA small, exclusive group of individuals, usually according to lifestyle or social status; a cabal.
nounA subgraph isomorphic to a complete graph.
Sentence Examples
I'm opposed to political power being monopolized within a clique.
Sami was part of the couple's clique.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The exclusive ____ only allowed members with the same expensive tastes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The students formed a small ____ and didn't talk to anyone else.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French clique, ultimately of imitative origin. Influenced by claque, though this may have happened in French rather than in English.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There had been talk of some disagreement about a picture, but in Sir Maxwell's experience, artists frequently disagreed about pictures, with no more consequences than a little cold-shouldering or the formation of a clique."
— 1931, Dorothy L. Sayers, The Five Red Herrings:
"Does anyone know what an internet clique is/does? I came across a few and am thoroughly confused."
— 1999, Jackie, “someone help me out?”, in alt.fan.leo-dicaprio (Usenet):
"even though we're not "regulars" anymore...*sniffle*...we still can't forget the NG...i always tell new fans about it...(people who join my clique, etc...)...and besides...i owe the NG a LOT...itz where i met my best friend..."
— 2000, - deanna -, “ot: hiya”, in alt.fan.backstreet.boys (Usenet):
"you always have to click some big section and you get a whole new set of options in a different frame, thats^([sic]) usually on the other side of the screen. when you're there, you can choose from (in a section site stuff or something like that) link me, link you, links, top 10 links, free for all links, cliques, and webrings."
— 2001, spee2k, “future no doubt website....”, in alt.music.no-doubt (Usenet):
"The Skeleton Clique, often referred to as just 'the clique,' is what members of the Twenty One Pilots fandom have dubbed themselves."
— 2016, “Skeleton Clique Shows Support for Twenty One Pilots”, in The Horizon, Westwood Student Press:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The exclusive ____ only allowed members with the same expensive tastes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The students formed a small ____ and didn't talk to anyone else.