exclusive circle

USAGE SUMMARY

'exclusive circle' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's an idiom that means an exclusive group of people, usually one that is very wealthy or powerful. For example, you could say: "The country club was an exclusive circle, with only the wealthiest members allowed in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Zeitlin has long been a favorite of the jazz-piano cognoscenti, partly because his individual style puts him in a similar ball park with Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett: he is in an exclusive circle of thinking-man's pianists.

The New York Times

The early history of the Bloomsbury group—an exclusive circle of the cultural elect, which counted among its members Leonard and Virginia Woolf, the painter Duncan Grant, and the art critic Clive Bell centred upon Cambridge and the remarkable figure of Lytton Strachey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1983, Mr. Fourtou and Mr. Bébéar founded an exclusive circle of like-minded business leaders called Business and Politics that included David de Rothschild, Michel Pebereau of BNP Paribas and Bernard Arnault of the luxury goods maker LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

The New York Times

Denny Zeitlin has long been a favorite of the jazz-piano cognoscenti, partly because his individual style and his approach to the piano trio put him in a similar ballpark with Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett: he is in an exclusive circle of thinking man's pianists.

The New York Times - Arts

Even more importantly, association with luxury brands marked their buyers as belonging to an exclusive circle, as "having arrived".

Forbes

In the year 2009 100 EVs were distributed and assigned to interested parties of an exclusive circle: 40 cars were given to companies, 40 to public institutions, non-profit organisations and associations and 20 to private users.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As White House Director of New Media, he's gotten the president to embrace social media as a more direct alternative to the otherwise exclusive circles of the White House press corp.

TechCrunch

Although one of the founders had an extensive formal education in art history in Italy and the other has a strong technical understanding of painting methods and techniques, neither had experience in museum nor art management, nor were they known in the small, exclusive circles of contemporary art galleries, museums, art historians, art critics and collectors.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Nor is the commissioner shy about using these services to cultivate his image of a man who moves in exclusive circles.

Huffington Post

'D' is quick-witted and personable - people like him and want to be liked by him - and his role as salesman of controlled substances merged seamlessly with that of invited guest, and then confidant, in a number of exclusive circles.

Huffington Post

In 1817 Pushkin accepted a post in the foreign office at St . Petersburg where he was elected to Arzamás, an exclusive literary circle founded by his uncle's friends.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exclusive circle" to describe groups with a high barrier to entry, whether based on wealth, status, knowledge, or other criteria. It implies a sense of privilege and inaccessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "exclusive circle" when a simpler term like "group" or "community" would suffice. Overusing it can sound pretentious or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exclusive circle" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a valid and usable phrase, often describing a select and privileged group of individuals. Examples in Ludwig show it referring to groups based on wealth, profession, or social status.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exclusive circle" refers to a select and privileged group. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and its grammatical function is that of a noun phrase. It's employed primarily to identify groups distinguished by their inaccessibility and prestige, with a neutral to professional formality. Ludwig examples and sources suggest it is mainly found in news, encyclopedias and science domains. While grammatical and useful, care should be taken to avoid overusing this phrase. Alternatives include “elite group” and “inner sanctum”. Use "exclusive circle" when a higher barrier to entry must be communicated, but do not force the use of the expression when a simpler substitute would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elite group

Focuses on the high status and superior qualities of the group.

inner sanctum

Emphasizes the privacy and secrecy of the group.

select society

Highlights the exclusivity and often formal nature of the group.

privileged class

Draws attention to the advantages and benefits enjoyed by the group members.

restricted community

Stresses the limited access and controlled membership.

cliquish group

Suggests a tendency towards exclusion and social segregation.

insider network

Emphasizes connections and confidential relationships within the group.

upper echelon

Highlights the high rank and authority of the group.

closed fraternity

Emphasizes brotherhood/sisterhood and secrecy among the members of a group.

private club

Highlights the exclusivity of a closed members-only group.

FAQs

How can I use "exclusive circle" in a sentence?

You can use "exclusive circle" to describe a group of people who are select and privileged. For example, "Membership in the country club is an "exclusive circle", requiring substantial wealth and social connections."

What are some alternatives to "exclusive circle"?

Some alternatives to "exclusive circle" include "elite group", "inner sanctum", or "select society", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "exclusive circle" a formal or informal phrase?

"Exclusive circle" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for both news reporting and academic writing. However, in very informal contexts, simpler terms might be preferable.

What's the difference between "exclusive circle" and "inner circle"?

"Inner circle" typically refers to a small group of people closest to a leader or organization, while "exclusive circle" emphasizes the difficulty of entering and belonging to a group, irrespective of leadership proximity. The "inner circle" is defined by access to someone, the "exclusive circle" is defined by its own inaccessibility.