Dictionary

elite

noun \ā-ˈlēt, i-, ē-\

: the people who have the most wealth and status in a society : the most successful or powerful group of people

: a person who is a member of an elite : a successful and powerful person

Full Definition of ELITE

1
a singular or plural in construction :  the choice part :  cream <the elite of the entertainment world>
b singular or plural in construction :  the best of a class <superachievers who dominate the computer elite — Marilyn Chase>
c singular or plural in construction :  the socially superior part of society <how the French-speaking elite…was changing — Economist>
d :  a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence <members of the ruling elite>
e :  a member of such an elite —usually used in plural <the elites … , pursuing their studies in Europe — Robert Wernick>
2
:  a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch
elite adjective
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of ELITE

French élite, from Old French eslite, from feminine of eslit, past participle of eslire to choose, from Latin eligere
First Known Use: 1823

élite

,

élitism

élite, élit·ism

Definition of ÉLITE

chiefly British variant of elite, elitism

Browse

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: elite seedPrevious Word in the Dictionary: elisionAll Words Near: elite
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears