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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

elite

/ɪˈlit/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:57
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What does elite mean?

adjective

  1. Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.
  2. Representing the choicest or most select of a group.

noun

  1. A special group or social class of people who have a superior social or economic status and attendant power, advantages, or privileges in society; a member of such a group.
More meanings (3)

noun

  1. An individual member of such a group.
  2. Someone who is among the best at a certain task.
  3. A typeface with 12 characters per inch.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ɪˈlit/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/eɪˈlit//əˈlit//iˈlit/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

That they should be allowed to invade the education of the elite is unspeakable.
John DeweyDemocracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of EducationProject Gutenberg ebook #852
I see no reason why Chinese meals should not become fashionable in America, as Western preparations are frequently favored by the Elite in China.
Tingfang WuAmerica, Through the Spectacles of an Oriental DiplomatProject Gutenberg ebook #609
More book examples (3)
She was, as she said, suffering from la grippe; grippe being then a new word in St. Petersburg, used only by the elite.
Leo, graf TolstoyWar and PeaceTranslated by Aylmer Maude; Louise MaudeProject Gutenberg ebook #2600
It commences by taking possession of a small number of privileged persons, who thus compose the elite of nations, while the mass continues, or even buries itself deeper, in barbarism.
P.-J. (Pierre-Joseph) ProudhonSystem of Economical Contradictions; Or, The Philosophy of MiseryProject Gutenberg ebook #444
I said, "I will tell you some things about it. You are a set of traitors, you pose as being the elite, but you are criminals, shame on such villainy."
Carry Amelia NationThe Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. NationProject Gutenberg ebook #1485