B2nounsocietypolitics
US/ɪˈliːt/
UK/ɪˈliːt/
a small group of people who have the most power, money or skill in a society or field
In context
In the past, only the elite could afford to study abroad.
Critics say the new law protects the political elite, not ordinary voters.
She trains with an elite group of young swimmers in Hanoi.
Words that go with elite
adjective + noun
- political eliteThe political elite rarely use public hospitals.
- ruling eliteThe ruling elite controlled most of the land.
- elite universityHe was accepted by an elite university in the UK.
- small eliteMost of the wealth belongs to a small elite.
noun + noun
- business eliteThe city's business elite met at the conference.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He is an elite in our company.Correct: He is one of the elite in our company.