clique

noun

: a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons
especially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposes
high school cliques
cliquey adjective
cliquish adjective
cliquishly adverb
cliquishness noun

Examples of clique in a Sentence

that clique refuses to even talk to outsiders at their lunch table
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, refusing to give up on his dream of becoming an avid writer of fiction, the young author brings talent, dogged determination and a marketing savvy mindset to break through the industry’s perennial clique. Sonya Rehman, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024 Even the most fearsome clique of them all, the Manhattan private all-girls school vampires, are there. Katie Rife, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 Last year, a federal jury convicted the clique’s leader, Melvi Amador-Rios, of racketeering murder after a trial featuring testimony from his own brother. John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Nov. 2024 Believe it or not, cliques can start forming as early as preschool. Hannah L. Schacter, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clique 

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clique was in 1711

Dictionary Entries Near clique

Cite this Entry

“Clique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clique. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

clique

noun
: a small group of people who spend time together and are not friendly to other people
cliquey
ˈklē-kē How to pronounce clique (audio)
ˈkli-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on clique

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!