Vocabulary in context
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Clique
A small, exclusive group of people who associate closely and often exclude others.
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Imagine This
Only a small exclusive group of women in Japan use Clinique because it can only be bought in America. There is a small exclusive group of people who communicate by making clicking sounds like insects.
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Sounds Like
Click
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Looks Like
Clinique (brand name)
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Remember This
A clique is typically seen as unwelcoming and can carry a negative connotation of exclusivity; it is not the same as a club or organization that welcomes newcomers.
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Other Forms
cliquesnoun
cliquishadjective
cliquishlyadverb
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Connect With
in-group, out-group, coterie, circle, set
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Note
Be careful not to confuse 'clique' with 'click' in casual use. 'Clique' is a noun (and the adjective 'cliquish' is used to describe behavior like a clique).
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The popular girls formed a clique that excluded everyone else from their conversations.
- He felt like an outsider, unable to crack the clique at his new school.
Synonyms
coteriecirclein-groupelite groupset
Antonyms
open groupinclusive groupthe public
Etymology
From French clique meaning a small group of people; the exact origin within French is uncertain, but the term entered English in the 19th century to denote a narrow, exclusive circle.
Mnemonic
Clique sounds like 'click'—a small group that 'clicks' together and keeps others out.
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Refute
verbTo prove a statement or theory false or incorrect; to deny the validity of something through evidence or logical argument.
Conclusive
adjectiveServing to settle or decide something beyond doubt; decisive and convincing.
Antiquated
adjectiveOut-of-date; no longer in style or use; old-fashioned.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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