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

That is in part thanks to the opacity of AI technology but also because this clique is much smaller. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

Not enough praise can be heaped upon the excellent cast (in addition to those mentioned above, there’s the terrific Nia Otchere-Sarfo and Jordan Rice rounding out the clique). — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

The field became something else when the ideas of rockism and poptimism, things that only matter to a small clique of people, began to inform everything that happened in music writing over the 21st century. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Her first taste of reciprocation comes via her gorgeous best friend, Chloe (Jodie Comer in an early role), who initiates her into a fun-loving coed clique. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 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