clique Definition
a small group of people with shared interests or other features in common, who spend time together and do not readily allow others to join them.
Using clique: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "clique" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She was part of a clique of popular girls at school.
Example
The company's executives formed a powerful clique that controlled all the major decisions.
Example
He never felt like he belonged to any particular clique or group.
clique Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using clique
Example
The teacher tried to break up the clique by assigning them to different groups for a class project.
clique up
to form a clique or join an existing one
Example
The new employees quickly clique up with the more experienced staff.
the tendency of a group of people to exclude others who are not part of their group
Example
The clique mentality of the team made it difficult for new members to feel welcome.
Phrases with clique
the tendency of a group of people to exclude others who are not part of their group
Example
The clique mentality of the team made it difficult for new members to feel welcome.
clique-ish behavior
behavior that is characteristic of a clique, such as excluding others or forming exclusive groups
Example
Her clique-ish behavior made it hard for her to make new friends.
Example
She was the clique leader and everyone followed her lead.
Origins of clique
from French 'clique', meaning 'a sharp noise'
Summary: clique in Brief
A 'clique' [kleek] is a small group of people who share common interests or characteristics and spend time together, often excluding others. Examples include 'She was part of a clique of popular girls at school.' and 'The company's executives formed a powerful clique that controlled all the major decisions.' The term extends into phrases like 'clique mentality,' referring to the tendency to exclude others, and idioms like 'clique up,' meaning to form or join a clique.
