élite
/eˈlit/feminine
The English phrase "elite" is translated into Italian as élite.
élite is used as a noun to refer to a group with higher status.
Meaning: group with higher status (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun élite is feminine, so any accompanying adjectives must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/eˈlit/
Did you know?
- Italian speakers sometimes use the word casta to refer to a specific type of political élite, implying a closed group that protects its own interests.
- The Italian élite is a linguistic doublet of the word eletta, meaning 'chosen'. While the first is a direct loan from French, the second is the natural Italian evolution of the same Latin root.
- While élite describes a social group, the term scelti is often used in military contexts to describe an elite unit, literally meaning 'the chosen ones'.
Examples in context
- La squadra di calcio è considerata l'élite del campionato.The football team is considered the elite of the championship.
- Solo l'aristocrazia ha accesso a queste occasioni speciali.Only the elite have access to these special occasions.
- Quella nuova boutique veste solo clienti di classe.That new boutique dresses only classy clients.
- Solo i privilegiati hanno accesso a quella spiaggia privata.Only the privileged have access to that private beach.
- L'élite economica del paese è molto piccola.The country's economic elite is very small.
- Vogliono far parte dell'élite intellettuale.They want to be part of the intellectual elite.
- Esiste una vera élite nel mondo dello sport.There is a true elite in the world of sport.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are discussing social structures at a cafe.
- AlessandroCredi che l'élite influenzi davvero la politica?Do you think the elite really influences politics?
- SofiaSì, Alessandro, hanno molto potere.Yes, Alessandro, they have a lot of power.
- AlessandroÈ un gruppo molto ristretto.It is a very small group.
- SofiaProprio così, è un'élite molto chiusa.Exactly, it is a very closed elite.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elite” translations and entries élite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries élite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
