in-crowd
The cool kids
The in-crowd is the exclusive group of people who hold social power or influence in a particular setting—the popular kids at school, the well-connected at work, the tastemakers in a scene.
Being part of the in-crowd means having access to information, invitations, and opportunities that outsiders don't.
She's been trying to break into the in-crowd since freshman year.
The term often carries a slightly critical edge, suggesting cliquishness or elitism.
Exclusive social group
- members-onlyRestricted to enrolled participants
- gatekeepersThose controlling entry
- selectiveChoosing with care
- restrictedLimited in scope
private · guarded · exclusionary · impenetrable · tight-knit · access · belonging · acceptance
Widely admired by many
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- influencersPeople with online sway
- trendsettersThose who initiate popular styles
- tastemakersThose shaping popular preferences
scene · buzz · status · cachet · clout · connections · networking
Superior select group
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- upper-crustSocial elite class
bluebloods · well-connected · pedigree · nepotism · cronyism · favoritism · hierarchy
Those not belonging
- outcastsRejected, excluded people
- wannabesAspirants lacking credentials
- hangers-onThose who cling opportunistically
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
snubbed · excluded · overlooked · blackballed · cold-shoulder · ostracized · FOMO
clique
Exclusive social group
- members-onlyRestricted to enrolled participants
- gatekeepersThose controlling entry
- selectiveChoosing with care
restricted · private · guarded · exclusionary · impenetrable · tight-knit · access · belonging · acceptance · admission
popular
Widely admired by many
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- influencersPeople with online sway
- trendsettersThose who initiate popular styles
tastemakers · scene · buzz · status · cachet · clout · connections · networking
elite
Superior select group
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
upper-crust · bluebloods · well-connected · pedigree · nepotism · cronyism · favoritism · hierarchy
outsiders
Those not belonging
- outcastsRejected, excluded people
- wannabesAspirants lacking credentials
- hangers-onThose who cling opportunistically
rejection · snubbed · excluded · overlooked · blackballed · cold-shoulder · ostracized · FOMO
- popular kidscool kids, popular kids, queen bee, cheerleaders, jocks
- cliquesclique, inner circle, cool kids, popular kids, queen bee
- elite networksold boys network, old boys club, inner circle, inner circles, cronyism
- inner circlesinner circle, inner ring, inner sanctum, ingroup, core group
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
- social networksfriends, followers, mutual friends, friend requests, social circle
in-crowdlosers
Unsuccessful competitors
nobodies · nerds · geeks · wallflowers · dweebs
in-crowdcounterculture
Rejection of mainstream values
nonconformists · outliers · rebels · renegades · oddballs
inside, include, including, included, inclusive, incoming, includes, insider, insiders