coterie

American  

[koh-tuh-ree] / ˈkoʊ tə ri /

noun

1. a group of people who associate closely.

2. an exclusive group; clique.

3. a group of prairie dogs occupying a communal burrow.

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coterie British  

/ ˈkəʊtərɪ /

noun

1. a small exclusive group of friends or people with common interests; clique

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Related Words

See circle.

Etymology

Origin of coterie

First recorded in 1730–40; from French, Middle French: “an association of tenant farmers,” from Medieval Latin coter(ius) cotter ² + -ie -y ³

Example Sentences

Her “It” girls often keep company with a coterie of tiny monkeys, kittens or creatures with confections for heads.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a novel about pettiness, middle-class superficiality, disloyalty, prejudice and cruelty, with this coterie of rather vile friends acting as a microcosm for a society in decline.

From The Wall Street Journal

But in the coterie world of theater connoisseurs, Mays has earned a place among acting immortals.

From Los Angeles Times

After serving in World War II, he became a writer and editor at Commentary, entering a coterie that included such authors and critics as Hannah Arendt and Irving Howe.

From The Wall Street Journal

MetaX Integrated Circuits, the Chinese AI chipmaker and part of a coterie of fast-growing tech stocks known as the “Little Dragons,” enjoyed a wildly successful launch on the Shanghai exchange Wednesday.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• cadre