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.
Vasquez was the leader of the Trece Locos Salvatrucha, or TLS, clique of MS-13 operating in Somerville. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 May 2025 My new book, The Last Ferry Out (out May 20), unhooks the velvet rope into another fascinating clique: a group of expats living on a tiny tropical island off the coast of Cancún. Andrea Bartz, People.com, 18 May 2025 This meant that working within an executive structure which was not always aligned allowed schisms to grow and cliques to foster. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 The majority of them belong to the it-girl clique of Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza), the popular girl with a penchant for bullying Lori about her mother's reputation. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clique. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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
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