A small, exclusive group of people who spend time together and often do not easily accept others. It is commonly used about social groups in schools or workplaces.
From French "clique" meaning "small, exclusive group," perhaps originally meaning "something that clicks" or a "latch," suggesting a closed group. It entered English in the 18th century.
The word for a tight social group may come from the idea of something that "clicks" shut, like a latch. A clique isn’t just a friend group; it’s a door that closes on everyone else.
The term 'clique' has often been stereotypically applied to groups of girls and women, especially in school or social settings, reinforcing tropes of female pettiness or exclusion. Similar behavior among boys and men has been more likely framed as 'teams' or 'networks' rather than cliques.
Use 'clique' consistently across genders for small, exclusive groups, or prefer neutral terms like 'in-group' when describing social dynamics. Avoid using it to single out girls' or women's friendships as uniquely negative.
["in-group","exclusive group","tight-knit group (if not pejorative)"]
Women and girls have built powerful support networks and communities that are often mislabeled as cliques, obscuring their role in mutual aid and resilience.
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