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

Any group of employees that forms an internal clique with secret membership, intimidation, special treatment, or retaliation is incompatible with public service and will be eliminated from this department. —Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 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

When a new employee, Pumpkin (Tung), is welcomed into the coven, jealousies emerge, secrets come to the surface, and the toxicity of the clique has deadly consequences. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Prosecutors have accused Olivar of being a shotcaller of an MS-13 clique, which Sedlander said his client denies. —Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 20 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