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To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

elite, elitist

Neither of these terms takes an accent in English.

Elite refers to the upper echelons of a society or the best in a field, and has positive or neutral connotations.

  • Harry had never wanted to mingle with Vancouver’s elite.
  • Canada provides funding for its elite athletes in many sports.

Elitist indicates an attitude of superiority or snobbery and is often pejorative.

  • Sharon made a rather elitist comment, but no one took it seriously.
  • Do you think universities are elitist institutions?