elite

1 of 3

noun

i-ˈlēt  ē-  ā- 

1

a

singular or plural in construction : the choice part : cream

the elite of the entertainment world

b

singular or plural in construction : the best of a class

… superachievers who dominate the computer elite …

—Marilyn Chase

c

singular or plural in construction : the socially superior part of society

… how the French-speaking elite … was changing …

—Economist

d

: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence

members of the ruling elite

e

: a member of such an elite

—usually used in plural

The elites …, pursuing their studies in Europe …

—Robert Wernick

2

: a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch

elite

2 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, serving, or being part of an elite

seeking to attain elite status

an elite group

an elite institution/school

often : superior in quality, rank, skill, etc.

an elite performer

an elite athlete

an athlete with elite skills

The elite chess players of today are of no school. They hail from all over the world …

—Garry Kasparov

élite, élitism

3 of 3

chiefly British spellings of elite, elitism

Synonyms of elite

Noun

• aristocracy
• best
• top

Examples of elite in a Sentence

Noun

the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools

the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At least a point was taken from every opponent barring Fulham in a campaign that offered no indication of the time Sunderland had spent away from English football’s elite. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026

So how did a coach with such modest credentials elevate himself into the elite at such a late stage of his career? — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Adjective

Nobody could accuse Keegan of lacking the quality to perform against elite-level European opposition, given his success with Liverpool and Hamburg. — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026

While avid fans may be disappointed, Ohashi’s confident and joyful return to the elite stage bodes well for 2027 and beyond. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French élite, from Old French eslite, from feminine of eslit, past participle of eslire to choose, from Latin eligere

First Known Use

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing elite

• anti-elite
• non-elite

Rhymes for elite

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

elite

noun

ā-ˈlēt  i- 

1

: the part or group having the highest quality or importance

2

: a small powerful group of people

elite adjective