elite

elite — noun

1. a small and powerful group of people who are at the top of society because they

1.nounB2
Definition

a small and powerful group of people who are at the top of society because they have more money, influence, or education than the rest of the population

Example

The country's business elite gathered at the annual conference in Taipei.

collocation: business elite / political elite / cultural elite

Members of the educated elite often send their children to the best universities abroad.

collocation: educated elite

Common collocations
  • political elite
  • business elite
  • cultural elite
  • ruling elite
  • social elite
  • elite family
Synonyms
  • upper class

    broader term that includes inherited social standing, not just power or achievement

  • aristocracy

    historically refers to people of noble birth and hereditary titles, narrower than elite

  • cream

    informal metaphor for the very best part of a group, e.g. 'the cream of the crop'

Antonyms
  • the masses

    the ordinary people in society, seen as a large undifferentiated group

  • the general public

    neutral term for all ordinary people, without political nuance

Grammar Patterns

the + [adjective] + elite

member(s) of the elite

Usage Note

Frequently used with an adjective specifying the type: political elite, business elite, cultural elite, ruling elite. The noun can take either a singular or a plural verb (the elite is / the elite are), depending on whether the group is seen as a unit or as individuals.

Common Mistakes

He is an elite of the society.
He is a member of the social elite.
elite as a noun refers to a group, not a person; use 'member of the elite' for an individual.
The elite are meet tomorrow.
The elite are meeting tomorrow.' or 'The elite meets tomorrow.
the noun already includes 'the'; don't add an extra article or omit the verb.

elite — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Elite, upper class, aristocracy, and privileged class all refer to people at the top of society, but they differ in emphasis. Elite focuses on power, influence, and achievement — people who are at the top because of their position, education, or skills. Upper class refers more narrowly to social rank and inherited wealth, often linked to family background rather than personal merit. Aristocracy specifically means people of noble birth or hereditary titles, a more historical and formal term. Privileged class emphasizes the advantages and opportunities (good education, connections, wealth) that this group enjoys, often with a critical or sociological tone. For example, you might say 'the political elite made the decision' (emphasising power and influence), but 'she was born into the upper class' (emphasising inherited social standing).

elite ↗upper classaristocracy ↗privileged class

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • part of the elite
  • among the elite
  • member of the elite

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Elite entered English in the 1700s from French élite, which comes from Old French eslite meaning 'chosen' or 'selected'. The French word goes back to the Latin verb eligere, meaning 'to pick out' or 'to choose' — formed from ex- ('out') and legere ('to gather, choose'). The original idea was of people who had been specially selected or chosen as the best, a meaning that is still at the heart of the word today.