Meaning & use
elite
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Meanings
nouncountable
A small group of people who have the most power, wealth or skill in a society or field.
Grammar: Takes a singular or plural verb: the elite is/are.
Patterns
- the elite of something
- a member of the elite
The political elite rarely meets ordinary voters.
Only an elite can afford the club's fees.
She belongs to the elite of the chess world.
adjectivebefore a noun
Belonging to the best or most skilled group, or restricted to a chosen few.
Grammar: Goes before a noun: elite athletes.
Patterns
- an elite athlete
- an elite school
Elite runners train twice a day.
He attended an elite private school.
The unit is an elite team of rescuers.
Word forms
| plural | elites |
|---|
Common combinations
- ruling elite
- The ruling elite resisted the reform.
- elite athlete
- Elite athletes need careful nutrition.
- political elite
- Voters distrust the political elite.
- social elite
- The party drew the social elite.
- elite status
- Frequent flyers earn elite status.
Synonyms and how they differ
- upper class
- Upper class is about birth and wealth, while elite can be about talent.
- best
- Best is plain and only about quality.
- top
- Top is casual and general.
- privileged
- Privileged stresses unearned advantage.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: elite or elect?
elite vs elect
Elect means to choose by vote; elite means a select group.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'elite' as an adjective?
Choose one answer.
In 'elite swimmer' the word modifies a noun. In the others it is a noun used with the.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “elite”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.