You're at a party. Someone mentions their "click" of friends. You pause. You’ve always said it like "cleek." Now you're wondering if you've been sounding like a Victorian schoolteacher this whole time. Honestly, the English language is a bit of a disaster when it comes to loanwords, and how to pronounce clique is a prime example of that chaos. It's one of those words that can make you feel elitist or uneducated depending on who you're talking to.
The word itself feels exclusive. That's the irony.
The Great Pronunciation Divide: Click vs. Cleek
Basically, there are two camps. You have the "click" crowd and the "cleek" crowd. If you look at a dictionary—like Merriam-Webster or the Oxford English Dictionary—you'll see both listed. But they aren't always treated as equals. In American English, "click" is incredibly common. It’s snappy. It fits the vibe of a tight-knit group that just clicks together.
However, "cleek" is the traditionalist’s choice. Why? Because the word is French. In French, the i makes a long e sound, and the que is a hard k. So, technically, $clique$ translates phonetically to something much closer to "cleek." If you’re in the UK or parts of Canada, you’re way more likely to hear that long vowel sound.
It’s a bit like the word "niche." Some people say "nitch," others say "neesh." One sounds like you’re trying a bit harder, while the other feels more "down to earth."
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Does it actually matter?
Not really. But also, totally.
If you’re in a high-brow academic setting, "cleek" might save you some side-eye. If you’re hanging out at a dive bar in the Midwest, saying "cleek" might make people think you’re putting on airs. It’s all about the context of your social circle. Linguists call this "code-switching." You adapt your phonetics to match the room. It’s survival of the most articulate.
Where the Word Actually Came From
We stole it. Plain and simple.
The word "clique" entered the English lexicon in the 1700s. It comes from the Old French word clique, which actually referred to a "tick" or a "latch." It was related to the verb cliquer, meaning to click or make a noise. This is where it gets funny—the "click" pronunciation is actually closer to the original French meaning, even if the "cleek" pronunciation is closer to the French sound.
By the time it hit the 18th century, it had morphed into a term for a "narrow circle of people." It wasn't a compliment then, and it isn't really a compliment now. It implies exclusivity, snobbery, and a "you can't sit with us" energy.
The French Connection
If you want to be a purist, you go with the French. In French, the word is pronounced /klik/.
Wait.
Did you catch that? In actual, modern French, the pronunciation is short and sharp. It sounds almost exactly like the English word "click." The "cleek" sound we associate with "proper" English is actually an Anglicized version of what we think French sounds like. We’ve essentially created a "fancy" version of a word that was already short in its native tongue.
English is weird.
Social Stigma and the "Correct" Way
I’ve seen people get into genuine arguments over this. It’s one of those linguistic shibboleths—a word that identifies you as part of a particular group.
- The "Click" camp: Often seen as more casual, modern, or distinctly American.
- The "Cleek" camp: Often seen as more formal, European, or "old money."
Linguist Bryan Garner, in Garner's Modern English Usage, notes that "click" has become the dominant pronunciation in the United States. He doesn't call "cleek" wrong, but he acknowledges that the shift has happened. If you look at Google Ngram data or listen to broadcast news, "click" is winning the war of attrition.
But here’s a tip: if you use the word as a verb (though rare), people almost always say "click."
Common Misconceptions About English Loanwords
We do this with a lot of words. Take "envelop" versus "envelope." Or "valet." Do you say "val-ay" or "val-ett"?
The "correct" pronunciation is often a moving target. As soon as a "foreign" word enters common usage, the general public starts chewing on it until it fits the local accent. This is called "nativization."
When you’re figuring out how to pronounce clique, you’re witnessing nativization in real-time. The word is being pulled between its French roots and its English home. Neither side is giving up.
Why do some people get so annoyed by "click"?
Usually, it’s because it sounds exactly like "click" (as in a mouse click). People hate homophones. They feel like the language loses precision when two different words sound identical. If I say, "That clique really clicks," and I pronounce them both the same way, it sounds repetitive. Using "cleek" provides a phonetic distinction that some find necessary for clarity.
How to Pronounce Clique in Professional Settings
If you’re giving a presentation or interviewing for a job, you might feel the pressure to get it "right."
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My advice? Go with the room.
If your boss says "cleek," you say "cleek." If the company culture is laid back and everyone is talking about the office "clicks," don't be the person who corrects them. Nobody likes a pedant.
Interestingly, in the world of fashion and high society—areas where the word is used frequently—the "cleek" version remains the heavyweight champion. It sounds more "couture." In the world of tech or general business, "click" is the standard.
A Note on Regionalisms
In the Deep South of the U.S., you might hear a very sharp "click." In the Pacific Northwest, it might lean a bit more toward "cleek." In the UK, saying "click" might actually get you corrected by a librarian.
Practical Examples of Usage
Let’s look at how this sounds in the wild.
"The high school was divided into several distinct cliques."
If you read that sentence aloud, which one felt more natural?
"The political clique held a secret meeting."
Often, when the subject is serious—like politics or high finance—we subconsciously drift toward the "cleek" sound because it feels weightier. When we talk about "mean girls" in middle school, "click" feels more appropriate for the petty nature of the group.
Why This Word is Still Relevant
The concept of the clique isn't going anywhere. From social media "circles" to "squads," we are obsessed with how humans group themselves together.
Because the word carries a negative connotation (nobody ever says "I'm so glad I'm in this exclusive, exclusionary clique"), the pronunciation almost acts as a secondary layer of meaning. The way you say it tells the listener how you feel about the group you're describing.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you want to master the word, you need to be comfortable with both.
- Listen first. Before you use the word in a new environment, wait for someone else to say it. Mirroring is a powerful social tool.
- Know your audience. Use "cleek" for formal, international, or academic contexts. Use "click" for casual, American, or everyday conversation.
- Confidence is key. The most "incorrect" way to say it is to mumble it because you're unsure. Pick a version and commit.
- Don't correct others. Since both are in the dictionary, correcting someone makes you look like you're trying to start a... well, a clique.
At the end of the day, language is a tool for communication. If people know what you mean, you’ve succeeded. Whether you’re clicking or cleeking, the group you’re talking about is still the same group of exclusive people.
Next time you're in a conversation and the word comes up, pay attention to the vowels. You'll start to notice that people's choice of pronunciation says a lot more about their background and who they want to be than it does about their vocabulary.
Just remember that "click" is the modern standard in the US, while "cleek" is the nod to the word's history. Neither will get you kicked out of the room, but one might get you a knowing nod from a linguist.
Use "click" for everyday speed. Use "cleek" when you're wearing a blazer or drinking expensive wine. It's the safest way to navigate the linguistic minefield of 2026.