clique

Pronunciation: /kliːk/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose

Etymology

Borrowed from French clique, ultimately of imitative origin. Influenced by claque, though this may have happened in French rather than in English.

In classic literature

Synonyms

coterie, ingroup, inner circle, pack, camp

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
set
Narrower (hyponyms)
faction, military junta, mafia, loop, galere, bloomsbury group

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