elite

CEFRC1

/ɪˈliːt/

noun · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A small group considered the best or most powerful.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Relating to the best or most powerful group.

Examples

  • On the whole, the elite are not sensitive to criticism.

  • Only the elite athletes were selected to participate in the Olympics.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
3

Also pronounced

  • [ɪˈlɪit]
  • /eɪˈlit/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A special group or social class of people who have a superior social or economic status and attendant power, advantages, or privileges in society; a member of such a group.

  2. Representing the choicest or most select of a group.

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.

More examples

In context

  • You are now among the elite.

  • the hubris of the elites

  • constituting an elite

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Only the blank soldiers were chosen for the dangerous mission.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

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.