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Meaning & use

elitism

noun·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/eɪˈliːtɪzəm/
US/ɪˈliːtɪzəm/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    The belief that a small privileged group deserves more influence or advantages than everyone else.

    Grammar: Never takes a plural: academic elitism.

    Patterns

    • elitism in something
    • elitism against someone

    Critics accused the club of elitism because it only admitted graduates of three schools.

    Elitism in politics keeps ordinary voters from being heard.

    The university has struggled to shake off its reputation for elitism.

  2. noununcountabledisapproving

    Behavior that shows you think you are better than other people because of your class, education or taste.

    Grammar: Describes attitude: cultural elitism.

    Patterns

    • cultural elitism
    • intellectual elitism

    Cultural elitism made him sneer at popular music.

    She was tired of the elitism of the art world.

    Mocking people's accents is a form of elitism.

Common combinations

accuse someone of elitism
Voters accused the senator of elitism.
intellectual elitism
Intellectual elitism can discourage curious learners.
cultural elitism
Cultural elitism looks down on pop music.
fight elitism
The school fights elitism by offering free places.
charge of elitism
The charge of elitism hurt the campaign.

Synonyms and how they differ

snobbery
Snobbery is a personal attitude of looking down on others, while elitism can describe an entire system.
exclusivity
Exclusivity is neutral and can be a selling point, but elitism is almost always critical.
privilege
Privilege is an advantage someone has, whereas elitism is the belief or system that supports it.
aristocracy
Aristocracy means rule by a noble class, a narrower concept than elitism.

Opposites

egalitarianismequality

Word family

elite noun
a small powerful or privileged group
elite adjective
belonging to the best or most powerful group
elitist noun
a person who believes in elitism
elitist adjective
showing elitism

Commonly confused: elitism or elitism / elite?

elitism vs elitism / elite

Elite is a group of people or an adjective, while elitism is the belief that such a group should have power.

Practice

Opponents called the school's entrance exam a form of ______ because only wealthy families could afford the tutors.

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