When you hear 'elite' are you hearing English or French?

'Elite' is a word borrowed from French 'élite'. The word entered the English language some time around 1823.

elite [noun] [1823]

• the choice part
• cream
• the best of a class
• the socially superior part of society
• a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence

See 'elite' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

Etymology: French 'élite' from Old French 'eslite' from feminine of 'eslit' past participle of 'eslire' to choose, from Latin 'eligere'

See more loan words from 1800s.