coterie
noun
Did you know?
A coterie today is, in essence, a clique—that is, a tight-knit group sharing interests in common. Historically, however, coteries hung around agricultural fields, not garden parties. In medieval France, coterie referred to a group of feudal peasants who together held a parcel of land (that coterie comes from the Old French word for a singular peasant, cotier). Such associations of country people inspired later French speakers to use coterie more broadly and apply it to other kinds of clubs and societies. By the time the word began appearing in English texts in the early 1700s, its meaning had been extended to refer to any circle of people who spent a great deal of time together, who shared the same basic attitudes, and who held a passion for some particular topic. Coterie mostly appears now in formal speech and writing, and tends also to imply a bit of exclusivity—if you’re thinking of joining your local coterie, you may need to learn the secret handshake, or perhaps bone up on the latest techniques for harvesting barley.
Examples of coterie in a Sentence
Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
Diane soon discovers that #MeToo never happened, watching as Harvey Weinstein, protected by his checkbook and a coterie of don’t-rock-the-boat political operatives, receives an award from a group called Women Unite for Change.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
But after a third season that saw Billy (Gil Bellows) strut around with a coterie of women from a Robert Palmer video before dropping dead of a brain tumor, this outing is remarkably grounded, poignant…and sad.
—EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Much of the company’s success comes down to its coterie of craftspeople.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coterie
Cite this Entry
“Coterie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coterie. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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coterie
noun
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