What does cliqued mean?
"Cliqued" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "clique," which means to form or associate within a small, exclusive circle that tends to shut out outsiders. When people are said to have cliqued together, the implication is usually critical: the group has become insular, favoring its own members over others. The word derives from the noun "clique," borrowed into English from French, where it denoted a small close-knit faction or set. In modern usage, "cliqued" is far less common than the noun "clique" or the adjective "cliquish," and it appears mostly in informal contexts such as descriptions of workplaces, schools, and social scenes. Writers should also take care not to confuse it with "clichéd," which sounds similar but means unoriginal or overused — an easy mix-up given their near-identical pronunciation.
verbPast tense and past participle of the verb "clique": to form or associate in a small, exclusive group that excludes outsiders.
- To form or gather into a small, exclusive social group; to behave as part of a clique.
"Even years after graduation, the old classmates still cliqued together at reunions, leaving everyone else on the sidelines."
"The new hires complained that the senior staff had cliqued around the manager, making it hard for anyone else to contribute."
"In high school she mostly kept to herself while her classmates cliqued by interest and background."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cliqued
The verb "clique" comes from the noun "clique," which English borrowed from French in the early 18th century. The ultimate origin of the French word itself is uncertain, though it has long denoted a small, exclusive band or faction. From the noun, English formed the verb meaning to associate as a clique, with "cliqued" serving as its past tense and past participle. Related derivatives include "cliquish" and "cliquishness."
Related word forms
How cliqued is actually used
The verb "clique" is relatively rare compared with its noun form and the adjective "cliquish"; "cliqued" appears mainly in informal writing and speech. It carries a mildly negative connotation, implying exclusivity and exclusion of outsiders. Note also that "cliqued" is frequently a misspelling of "clichéd," so careful writers should double-check the intended meaning.
Easily confused with cliqued
"Clichéd" means overused to the point of being unoriginal, while "cliqued" relates to forming exclusive social groups; they sound nearly identical but share no meaning.