elite

菁英、精英、上層階級常與 the 連用

A small elite controls most of the country's wealth.

少數菁英掌控了這個國家大部分的財富。

權貴、當權階層常用複數、含貶義

Voters are tired of being ignored by the political elites.

選民早已厭倦被政治權貴忽視。

頂尖的、一流的、菁英的

Only elite athletes can finish the race in under three hours.

只有頂尖運動員才能在三小時內跑完這場比賽。

精銳的軍事

An elite unit was sent in to rescue the hostages.

一支精銳部隊被派去營救人質。

權貴的、上層的貶義

His elite background makes it hard for him to understand ordinary workers.

他出身權貴，很難理解一般勞工的處境。