CLANNISH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does clannish mean? 

• CLANNISH (adjective)
  The adjective CLANNISH has 2 senses:

1. characteristic of a clan especially in being unified

2. befitting or characteristic of those who incline to social exclusiveness and who rebuff the advances of people considered inferior

  Familiarity information: CLANNISH used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLANNISH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characteristic of a clan especially in being unified

Context example:

clannish loyalty

Similar:

joint (united or combined)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Befitting or characteristic of those who incline to social exclusiveness and who rebuff the advances of people considered inferior

Synonyms:

clannish; cliquish; clubby; snobbish; snobby

Similar:

private (confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy)

Derivation:

clannishness (tendency to associate with only a select group)

 Context examples 

But she was a clannish creature, and rushed at once to the defence of her brother.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)