clique

noun

ˈklik 

also

ˈklēk 

: a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons

especially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposes

high school cliques

cliquey

ˈkli-kē 

also

ˈklē- 

adjective

cliquish

ˈkli-kish 

adjective

cliquishly adverb

cliquishness noun

Synonyms of clique

• circle
• crowd
• network
• community
• bunch
• gang
• pack
• clan
• coterie
• coven

Examples of clique in a Sentence

that clique refuses to even talk to outsiders at their lunch table

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, the researchers think the violence stemmed from a breakdown of friendships and escalations between cliques and rivals. —Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026

The dark comedy about teen suicide and social cliques was adapted into a musical by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and had an off-Broadway run in 2014. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026

Acknowledging the years of debate over the existence of gangs or cliques within the department, Supervisor Kathryn Barger questioned county staff about what would constitute such an organization. —City News Service, Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026

The Republican donors get their roles, splitting their loot with the more pliable components of the Castro clique. —Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clique

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek
• leak

Kids Definition

clique

noun

ˈklēk  ˈklik 

: a small group of people who spend time together and are not friendly to other people

cliquey

ˈklē-kē 

ˈkli-

adjective