elite

n

1. privileged class, dominant class, ruling class, establishment; upper class, Inf. upper crust, gentry, gentility, aristocracy, nobility, silk-stockings, blue bloods; meritocracy, the best and the brightest, the high and the mighty; notables, personages, bigwigs, men of mark, grandees.

2. high society, cream of the crop, Fr. creme de la creme, Fr. haut monde. beau monde, fashionable society, jet set, the beautiful people, celebrities, stars, U.S.Four Hundred; F.F.V.'s, First Families of Virginia.

3. good life, high life, Sl. the big time, Inf. the major leagues.

4. choice, best, first water, first-class, nonpareil, nonesuch, paragon; pink, pearl, sterling.