elitist

American  

[ih-lee-tist, ey-lee‑] / ɪˈli tɪst, eɪˈli‑ /

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.

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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 Word Forms

• antielitist noun
• nonelitist noun

Etymology

Origin of elitist

elite + -ist

Example Sentences

But some project supporters call Keller and other critics elitist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

If not wanting my robot assistant/future overlord to have an image tool makes me an A.I. elitist, as Altman implies, then I will proudly fit myself for a monocle.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2026

“He was not exclusive and he was not an elitist, “ Savannah said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Cultural specialist Oluwatoyin Sogbesan agrees that the conversation has grown increasingly elitist.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025

Barack and I knew we wanted to do a better job of democratizing the White House, making it feel less elitist and more open.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama