Meanings
comparative more élite · superlative most élite
- alternativeAlternative spelling of elite.
Over time, though, a class system emerged; now revisions made by infrequent contributors are much likelier to be undone by élite Wikipedians.
2009 September 28, Farhad Manjoo, “Is Wikipedia a Victim of Its Own Success?”, in TIME.COM, archived from the original on 23 Sep 2009, page 21 more example
Ben-Gurion’s legacy has been an enduring one. The projection of a national consensus, the domination of the state over other political actors, and the hegemony exercised over decision-making by a largely Ashkanazim élite remain features of Israeli politics today.
2002, Clive Jones, Emma Murphy, Israel: Challenges to Identity, Democracy, and the State, Routledge, →ISBN, page 27
plural élites
- alternativeAlternative spelling of elite.
A hush had fallen over the élite in the ballroom, as a broad path was cleared for the throne. Lepold sat on it now, hands solidly on its arms, head high, face frozen.
1951, Isaac Asimov, Foundation (1974 Panther Books Ltd publication), part III: “The Mayors”, chapter 6, page 101, ¶ 5
Origin
- Frenchélite
- Englishélite
Unadapted borrowing from French élite.
More words from French
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
élite. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/%C3%A9lite
“élite.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/%C3%A9lite. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “élite,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/%C3%A9lite.
Source: élite on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.