elite

Universal Words noun [C+sing./pl.v.] a group of people in a society, etc. who are powerful and have a lot of influence, because they are rich, intelligent, etc: a member of the ruling / intellectual elite * Public opinion is influenced by the small elite who control the media. * In these countries, only the elite can afford an education for their children. elite adjective [onlybeforenoun]: an elite group of senior officials * an elite military academy