noun · neutral
elitism
/ɪˈliːtɪzəm/e·LIT·ism
The belief or practice that a society should be led by an elite or that a minority deserves privileges over the majority.
Examples
“Critics accused the policy of elitism because it seemed to favour graduates from top universities.”
“Elitism can undermine social mobility and equal opportunity.”
“The debate about elitism in education often appears in Task 2 questions.”
Band 8 sentence
“Elitism in education can create entrenched advantages that undermine social mobility.”
Collocations
- elitist attitudes
- accused of elitism
- elitist culture
Word family
Common mistakes
He is elitism and does not mix with others.→He is elitist and does not mix with others.
The elitism of the school is obvious.→The school's elitism is obvious.
Say it for a higher band
5snobbery→6elitist attitude→7+elitism
Synonyms
snobbery
aristocracy
Easily confused
elitist
“Many voters rejected the candidate's elitist comments as out of touch with ordinary people.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -ism
Learn it with its set