clannish
UK: ˈklænɪʃ | US: ˈklænɪʃ
adj. tending to associate closely with a specific group and exclude outsiders
adj. showing strong loyalty to a clan or similar social unit
clannish = clan<family/group> + ish<adjective suffix>
- clan: From Scottish Gaelic clann (offspring, family), derived from Old Irish cland (children, tribe). Historically refers to close-knit familial or social groups, especially in Scottish Highland culture.
- ish: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating "having the qualities of" (e.g., childish, foolish).
Etymology Origin:
The word clannish emerged in the early 19th century, combining clan (emphasizing exclusivity and loyalty within a group) with -ish to describe behavior characteristic of such tight-knit groups. It reflects the human tendency to form insular social bonds, often with a negative connotation of excluding outsiders.
The small town was criticized for its clannish resistance to newcomers.
Her clannish loyalty to her college friends made it hard for others to connect with her.
The office culture felt clannish, with longtime employees forming exclusive cliques.
Some immigrant communities are perceived as clannish due to their strong internal ties.
His clannish behavior alienated colleagues who weren’t part of his inner circle.