elitist

elitist — adjective

1. designed or operated in a way that benefits only a small, privileged group of pe

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

designed or operated in a way that benefits only a small, privileged group of people — used to criticize policies, institutions, or systems that favour the wealthy or well-connected over the general public.

Example

The university's admission policy was called elitist because it favoured wealthy applicants.

passive: be called elitist

Amani refused to join the private club, calling its membership rules deeply elitist.

collocation: deeply + elitist

Common collocations
  • elitist institution
  • elitist policy
  • elitist system
  • elitist club
Synonyms
  • exclusive

    focuses on restricted access rather than privilege; can be neutral or positive

  • privileged

    describes the state of having advantages, less critical of the system itself

  • select

    positive connotation of careful choice, unlike the negative connotation of elitist

Antonyms
  • egalitarian

    treating all people equally, regardless of wealth or status

  • inclusive

    open and accessible to everyone, not restricted to a few

Usage Note

Subject of criticism is typically an institution, system, or policy rather than an individual person. Common in political and social commentary.

2. behaving as though other people are less important or less worthy because they l

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

behaving as though other people are less important or less worthy because they lack your education, social position, or wealth — often shown through the way someone speaks or treats others.

Example

Sivan winced at her friend's elitist remarks about people who ride the bus.

collocation: elitist remarks

Karim's elitist attitude made it hard for him to make friends at the new school.

collocation: elitist attitude

Common collocations
  • elitist attitude
  • elitist view
  • elitist remarks
  • sound elitist
  • seem elitist
Synonyms
  • snobbish

    very close in meaning; more about personal taste and social standing than political beliefs

  • condescending

    emphasises the act of talking down to others in a patronising way

  • arrogant

    broader term for a general belief in one's own importance, not limited to social class

Antonyms
  • humble

    modest about one's own abilities or position, not thinking you are better than others

  • down-to-earth

    practical and unpretentious, easy to relate to

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (SYSTEM OR INSTITUTION), this sense describes a person's behaviour or speech. Often used with linking verbs such as 'sound', 'seem', or 'come across as'.

Common Mistakes

My cousin is elitist because she only buys organic food.' (meaning 'snobbish about personal taste')
My cousin is snobbish because she only buys organic food.
'elitist' carries a political or social-hierarchy belief; for personal lifestyle preferences, 'snobbish' is more natural.

elitist — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

Snobbish, condescending, arrogant, and pretentious all relate to a belief in one's superiority, but differ in focus. 'Snobbish' is the closest synonym, describing someone who looks down on others based on social status or taste — a snob might refuse to eat at ordinary restaurants. 'Condescending' describes a way of treating others as less intelligent, often through overly patient or pitying speech. 'Arrogant' is broader: it covers any unjustified belief in one's own importance, not necessarily linked to class or education. 'Pretentious' means trying to appear more cultured or sophisticated than one really is. For example: calling someone's clothes 'cheap' is snobbish; explaining basic concepts without being asked is condescending; claiming to be the best player on the team is arrogant; name-dropping famous artists to impress others is pretentious. An elitist attitude, in contrast, is rooted in the belief that society should be led by a select few — it carries a political weight that the other words lack.

snobbishcondescendingarrogant ↗pretentious

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • deeply elitist
  • increasingly elitist
  • supposedly elitist

Phrases

  • dismiss something as elitist
  • be seen as elitist

Prepositions

  • elitist in nature
  • elitist in outlook

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'elitist' comes from French 'élitiste', built on 'élite', meaning 'the chosen group' or 'the best people'. 'Élite' traces back through Old French 'eslite' (the feminine past participle of 'eslire', meaning 'to pick out or choose') to Latin 'eligere' — a combination of 'ex-' ('out of') and 'legere' ('to gather, pick, choose'). The English suffix '-ist' turns this idea of an elite into a person who supports or promotes it, or an adjective describing such support. The word first appeared in English in the mid-20th century.