What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cliquy
Example
The popular girls in school were known for being cliquy and rarely interacted with other students. [cliquy: adjective]
Example
She felt left out because the office was very cliquy and she didn't belong to any of the established groups. [cliquy: adjective]
selective
Example
He is very selective when it comes to choosing his friends. [selective: adjective]
Example
The university has a selective admission process, only accepting students with exceptional grades and achievements. [selective: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Selective is more commonly used than cliquy in everyday language. Selective is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while cliquy is less common and more specific to describing exclusive social groups.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cliquy and selective?
Both cliquy and selective can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, selective is more commonly used and can be considered more neutral in terms of formality.