elitism
C1Formal, Academic, Critical
Definition
Meaning
The belief or attitude that a society should be governed or dominated by a small, privileged group considered superior in intellect, wealth, or power.
Any attitude or policy favouring exclusivity, selectivity, or perceived superiority within a group, organisation, or system, often leading to unequal access or treatment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun describing a system, belief, or characteristic. Almost exclusively used in a critical or pejorative sense to denote perceived unfairness. The positive sense (e.g., 'a meritocratic elite') is rarely conveyed by the term 'elitism' itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling identical. Usage and concept are identical across both varieties.
Connotations
Universally negative in contemporary discourse. Criticises class structures (UK) or anti-egalitarian structures (US).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK political and social commentary due to stronger historical class discourse, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
accuse [someone/something] of elitismbe criticised for elitismperpetuate elitismfight against elitismsee elitism in [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ivory tower mentality”
- “Old boys' club”
- “Born with a silver spoon”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critique of 'old boys' networks' in hiring or promotion, or exclusive management cultures.
Academic
Critical analysis of educational systems, admission policies, or intellectual hierarchies.
Everyday
Complaints about a club, neighbourhood, or group being 'snobby' or hard to join.
Technical
Used in sociology, political science, and critical theory to analyse power structures.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The club's policies tend to elitise membership.
- The system elitises those from private schools.
American English
- The admissions process elitizes applicants from certain zip codes.
- We must not elitize our outreach programs.
adverb
British English
- The committee was elitistically composed.
- He spoke elitistically about classical music.
American English
- They were elitistically focused on Ivy League credentials.
- The program was elitistically designed.
adjective
British English
- His elitist views on the arts were poorly received.
- They dismantled the elitist selection criteria.
American English
- She called the policy elitist and exclusionary.
- An elitist attitude prevails in some departments.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some people think the golf club shows elitism because it is so expensive.
- The new policy was criticised for its elitism, as it favoured applicants from prestigious universities.
- The pervasive cultural elitism within the institution systematically devalued non-Western artistic traditions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'e-LIT-e' group thinks they're 'lit' (excellent) and form an '-ism' (doctrine) to keep others out.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PYRAMID (with a small top tier); ACCESS IS A GATEKEEPER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'элитарность' which can have a neutral or positive connotation (high-quality, exclusive). 'Элитизм' is the direct loanword and carries the negative sense.
- Do not translate as 'отборность' (selectivity) without the negative critical component.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'We pride ourselves on our elitism').
- Confusing with 'elite' (the group) vs. 'elitism' (the belief/system).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'elitism' most likely be used CRITICALLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In standard modern usage, no. The term itself carries a critical connotation. A positive spin on a similar concept would use words like 'excellence', 'high standards', or 'meritocracy' (though the latter is also debated).
'Elite' (noun/adjective) refers to the actual group considered superior (e.g., 'the elite troops', 'the business elite'). 'Elitism' is the abstract belief, practice, or characteristic of favouring such a group or creating such a system.
They are closely related. 'Classism' is discrimination based on social class. 'Elitism' is a broader belief in the rule or superiority of a select group, which can be based on class, but also intellect, education, taste, or wealth.
An 'egalitarian' or a 'populist'. An egalitarian believes in equal rights and opportunities for all. A populist claims to represent the interests of ordinary people against a privileged elite.
Collections
Part of a collection
Political Theory
C2 · 44 words · Advanced vocabulary for political science and theory.