coterie
noun
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A coterie today is, in essence, a clique—that is, a tight-knit group sharing interests in common. Historically, however, coteries hung around agricultural fields, not garden parties. In medieval France, coterie referred to a group of feudal peasants who together held a parcel of land (that coterie comes from the Old French word for a singular peasant, cotier). Such associations of country people inspired later French speakers to use coterie more broadly and apply it to other kinds of clubs and societies. By the time the word began appearing in English texts in the early 1700s, its meaning had been extended to refer to any circle of people who spent a great deal of time together, who shared the same basic attitudes, and who held a passion for some particular topic. Coterie mostly appears now in formal speech and writing, and tends also to imply a bit of exclusivity—if you’re thinking of joining your local coterie, you may need to learn the secret handshake, or perhaps bone up on the latest techniques for harvesting barley.
Examples of coterie in a Sentence
Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Michelle Yeoh Michelle Yeoh was one in a coterie of names wearing Giorgio Armani Privé at the event.
—Mikelle Street, WWD, 23 Feb. 2025
With trillions of dollars there for the taking, investments are being made by the same small coterie of companies and people that now controls the entire federal government.
—Kara Swisher, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2025
Consider, however, Bond’s coterie of pals and enemies, like Miss Moneypenny, M, and Q, or even Ernst Blofeld and Dr. No.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coterie
Cite this Entry
“Coterie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coterie. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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coterie
noun
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