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Elitist: meaning, definitions and examples

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elitist

 

[ ɪˈliːtɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person

A person who believes that they are superior to others and deserve special treatment or privileges due to their high social status, wealth, or education.

Synonyms

aristocrat, highbrow, snob

Examples of usage

  • The elitist refused to associate with anyone they deemed beneath them.
  • She was often criticized for her elitist attitude towards those less fortunate.
Context #2 | Noun

group

A group or class of people who consider themselves superior to others and exclude those they believe are inferior.

Synonyms

privileged group, social elite, upper class

Examples of usage

  • The elitists formed an exclusive club that only admitted members of a certain social class.
  • The elitist group looked down upon anyone who did not meet their standards.

Translations

Translations of the word "elitist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 elitista

🇮🇳 अभिजनवादी

🇩🇪 elitär

🇮🇩 elitis

🇺🇦 елітарний

🇵🇱 elitarny

🇯🇵 エリート主義者

🇫🇷 élitiste

🇪🇸 elitista

🇹🇷 elitist

🇰🇷 엘리트주의자

🇸🇦 نخبوي

🇨🇿 elitářský

🇸🇰 elitárny

🇨🇳 精英主义者

🇸🇮 elitističen

🇮🇸 elítisti

🇰🇿 элитист

🇬🇪 ელიტური

🇦🇿 elitatör

🇲🇽 elitista

Etymology

The term 'elitist' originated from the word 'elite', which comes from the Latin 'eligere', meaning 'to choose'. The concept of elitism has been present throughout history in various forms, with certain groups or individuals considering themselves superior to others based on social status, wealth, or education. The term has often been used in a negative context to criticize those who exhibit snobbish or exclusionary behavior.

See also: elite, elitism.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,432, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.