What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
select
Example
She carefully selected the best apples from the basket. [selected: past tense]
Example
The restaurant offers a select menu of gourmet dishes. [select: adjective]
elite
Example
The elite members of society attended the charity gala. [elite: noun]
Example
The team consisted of elite athletes from around the world. [elite: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Select is more commonly used than elite in everyday language. Select is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while elite is less common and refers to a more exclusive and prestigious group of people or things.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between select and elite?
While select can be used in both formal and informal contexts, elite is typically associated with a more formal and prestigious tone, often used in academic or professional settings.