clique
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clique¹
- /kliːk/ UK
- /klik/ US
- /ˈklɪk/ US
Sounds like cleek, click, klick (one pronunciation) · Rhymes with -iːk, -ɪk
Where it comes from
The noun is borrowed from French clique (“exclusive group of individuals; (archaic or obsolete) group of people hired to applaud or boo, claque”), from cliquer (“to clap; to clack, to click”), ultimately of imitative origin.
The proper noun and verb are derived from the noun.
noun cliques · click
- A small, exclusive group of individuals, usually having some common characteristic such as lifestyle or social status, or common purpose; specifically one formed for disreputable purposes, or which purports to be an authority on a particular matter; a cabal. Near-synonyms: circle, faction, gang
-
A subgraph isomorphic to a complete graph.
The problem of finding the largest clique in an arbitrary graph is NP-complete.
Opposite: independent set
- A group of related websites that link to each other, like a webring but with exclusive membership determined by the clique owner. Does anyone know what an internet clique is/does? I came across a few and am thoroughly confused.
- An informal faction in the Republic of China (1912–1949) led by one or more warlords exercising regional control through local armed forces (particularly during the Warlord Era); a regional junta. In the South, too, due either to direct or indirect machinations by imperialism, there mushroomed many cliques and factions which fought against one another; in the provinces, small cliques and factions within big ones were also struggling against one another.
proper noun the clique
- Alternative letter-case form of Clique (ellipsis of Skeleton Clique (“the fan base of the American band Twenty One Pilots”)). The Skeleton Clique, often referred to as just 'the clique,' is what members of the Twenty One Pilots fandom have dubbed themselves. The clique enjoys the band because their songs typically have a deeper meaning and are easy to connect to.
verb cliques · cliquing · cliqued
- To form a clique (“small, exclusive group of individuals, usually having some common characteristic”; noun sense 1); to associate with others in a clannish way. [N]o unkind feeling should exist in the profession, for this never puts a penny more into a man's pocket; and […] that injurious system of cliquing together should be put a stop to, […]
- To act with others secretly to gain a desired end; to plot, to scheme.
Clique²
- /kliːk/ UK
- /klik/ US
- /ˈklɪk/ US
Sounds like cleek, click, klick (one pronunciation) · Rhymes with -iːk, -ɪk
Where it comes from
Ellipsis of Skeleton Clique.
proper noun the Clique · clique
- Ellipsis of the Skeleton Clique (“the fan base of the American band Twenty One Pilots”). The Skeleton Clique, often referred to as just 'the clique,' is what members of the Twenty One Pilots fandom have dubbed themselves. The clique enjoys the band because their songs typically have a deeper meaning and are easy to connect to.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: coterie, inner circle, ingroup, camp, pack, group, bloc, clan, conglomerate, bunch, syndicate, cabal, set, mob, crowd, gang
Translations
Every language
noun small, exclusive group of individuals, usually having some common characteristic
| Español | clica, clika, bando, bolita, corrillo, mundillo |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 파벌 pabeol, 패거리 paegeori |
| 日本語 | クリーク kurīku, 派閥 habatsu |
| 中文 | 派系 pàixì, 朋黨 /朋党 péngdǎng, 小集團 /小集团 xiǎo jítuán, 小圈子 xiǎo quānzi |
| हिन्दी | गुट guṭ |
| Português | clique, panelinha |
| Français | clique |
| Deutsch | Clique |
| Italiano | cricca, associazione, camarilla, congrega, consorteria, conventicola |
| Ελληνικά | κλίκα klíka |
| Română | clică |
| Русский | кли́ка klíka, группиро́вка gruppiróvka |
| Tiếng Việt | bè lũ, bọn, đảng phái |
| العربية | طُغْمَة ṭuḡma, عُصْبَة ʕuṣba, زَمْرَة zamra |
| עברית | קְלִיקָה klíka |
noun subgraph isomorphic to a complete graph
| Español | clica |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 클릭 keullik |
| 日本語 | クリーク kuriku |
| 中文 | 團 /团 tuán |
| Português | clique |
| Deutsch | Clique |
| Italiano | cricca |
| Română | clică |
| Русский | кли́ка klíka |
| Tiếng Việt | clique |
| עברית | קליקה klíka |
verb to form a clique; to associate with others in a clannish way
| Français | former une clique |
|---|
Talk about this word "clique." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/clique. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. clique. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/clique "clique." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/clique.Cite this
@misc{clique_2026,
title = {clique},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/clique},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
