elitist

[ ih-lee-tistey-lee‑ ]

adjective

1. (of a person or class of persons) considered superior by others or by themselves, as in intellect, talent, power, wealth, or position in society:

   elitist country clubbers who have theirs and don't care about anybody else.

2. catering to or associated with an elitist class, its ideologies, or its institutions:

   Even at such a small, private college, Latin and Greek are under attack as too elitist.

noun

1. a person having, thought to have, or professing superior intellect or talent, power, wealth, or membership in the upper echelons of society:

   He lost a congressional race in Texas by being smeared as an Eastern elitist.

2. a person who believes in the superiority of an elitist class.

Other Words From

• anti·e·litist noun adjective
• none·litist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elitist¹

elite + -ist

Example Sentences

In 2022 she left the Democrat Party and initially registered as an independent - accusing her former party of being an “elitist cabal of warmongers” driven by "cowardly wokeness".

From BBC

He also warned the arts are at risk of becoming elitist if not properly funded.

From BBC

Elaine Waldman, whose daughter is enrolled in Reed’s IHP, said the test is “elitist and exclusionary,” and hoped dropping it would improve the diversity of the program.

From Los Angeles Times

De León, who has highlighted the issue in campaign mailers, calls Jurado’s approach to public safety “elitist and irresponsible,” saying low-income neighborhoods would suffer the most.

From Los Angeles Times

As for me, I’ve lived my entire life in cold-weather northern cities for a reason: I’m a bitter elitist crank who hates beaches, humidity, and outdoor recreation.

From Slate