elitist
gb/ɪlˈitɪst/ us/ɪlˈitɪst/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
snobbish or exclusive attitude
thinking only a few "top" people matter, and others are less important
Usage pattern:
[something] is elitist; elitist [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse elitist (usually negative: excluding others) with elite (often positive: the best).
Synonyms
snobbish (Emphasizes looking down on others socially.)
|
exclusive (Emphasizes limiting access to a select group.)
|
upper-crust (More informal; suggests high social class.)
Antonyms
egalitarian (Stresses equal rights and value for everyone.)
|
inclusive (Stresses welcoming and including a wide range of people.)
|
democratic (Stresses shared participation and power rather than rule by a few.)
Collocations
an elitist attitude
|an elitist view
|an elitist approach
|elitist assumptions
|elitist policies
|elitist tastes
|elitist language
|an elitist institution
|elitist circles
|elitist and out of touch
Themes
society
|politics
|culture
|education
Examples
- The club was criticized as elitist because membership was limited to people with personal connections.
- She avoided using elitist language that might alienate people who didn’t go to university.
- Voters rejected the plan as elitist and disconnected from everyday life.
Learner examples
- Some people think the policy is elitist.
- That restaurant feels elitist and expensive.
Noun
C1
role
2
person with elitist beliefs
a person who thinks only a few top people matter
Usage pattern:
an elitist; elitists [plural]
Common mistake:
Don’t use elitist to mean simply 'successful' or 'high quality'; it usually implies unfair exclusion or superiority.
Synonyms
snob (More about personal social superiority than politics or power.)
|
insider (Focuses on being part of a privileged in-group (not always contemptuous).)
Antonyms
egalitarian (A person who believes in equality rather than privilege for a few.)
|
populist (In politics, emphasizes 'ordinary people' versus elites (not always a direct opposite in every context).)
Collocations
wealthy elitists
|political elitists
|cultural elitists
|media elitists
|academic elitists
|urban elitists
|out-of-touch elitists
|self-described elitist
|accused of being an elitist
|a group of elitists
Themes
society
|politics
|culture
Examples
- He was labeled an elitist after suggesting that only graduates should vote.
- The article argues that a small group of elitists controls the debate.
- She insists she isn’t an elitist—she just wants high standards.
Learner examples
- They called him an elitist.
- Some voters distrust elitists.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elitist
IPA
GB/ɪlˈitɪst/
US/ɪlˈitɪst/
Syllables & stress
elit - ist (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ist)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: elitist
Noun
- Base: elitist
- Plural: elitists
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.