What does cliquiness mean?
Cliquiness is an informal noun describing the quality of being cliquey — that is, of forming or favouring small, tightly knit groups that are difficult for outsiders to enter. A workplace, school, club, or social scene can all display cliquiness when existing members bond closely among themselves while remaining cool or unwelcoming toward newcomers. The word carries a distinctly negative connotation, implying exclusion, insularity, and often a measure of snobbery, and it is typically used in complaints or criticism: people speak of the cliquiness of an office culture or a professional circle as something to be overcome. It is a relatively recent and less formal alternative to the older term 'cliquishness', both deriving from 'clique', the small exclusive group itself. For anyone describing social dynamics — whether in HR reports, reviews, or everyday conversation — cliquiness offers a precise way to name that closed-ranks atmosphere without naming any individual.
nounThe quality or state of being cliquey; the tendency of a group to be exclusive, insular, and closed off to outsiders.
- The characteristic of forming or belonging to small, exclusive social groups that exclude others.
"The cliquiness of the design team made it hard for new hires to feel welcome."
"She left the book club because its cliquiness left no room for newcomers."
"Critics noted the cliquiness of the literary scene, where the same handful of names appeared on every shortlist."
Whether you call it cliquiness or cliquishness, English has two competing words for that exclusive-group feeling — and neither one has fully won.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cliquiness
Cliquiness is formed transparently from the adjective 'cliquey' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness'. The base word 'clique' entered English from French in the early 18th century, where it denoted a small exclusive set of people; its ultimate origin is uncertain, though it may relate to French 'cliquer'. From 'clique' English also derived the older adjective 'cliquish' and hence 'cliquishness', leaving 'cliquiness' as a newer, more colloquial rival built on 'cliquey'.
Related word forms
How cliquiness is actually used
Informal to neutral register. The word is less common than its close relative 'cliquishness', which is preferred in formal writing; 'cliquiness' tends to appear in casual speech and journalism.
Easily confused with cliquiness
Cliquishness is the older, more established synonym for exactly the same concept; 'cliquiness' is a newer, more informal variant built from 'cliquey' rather than 'cliquish'.