A clique (sounds like “click”) is a small, exclusive group of friends who stick together and often keep others out. You've probably noticed cliques at school: groups of kids who always sit together at lunch, whisper to each other in the hallways, and seem to have their own private world that doesn't welcome newcomers.

What makes a group a clique is the way members create invisible walls around themselves. A clique might ignore classmates who try to join their conversations, or give cold stares to someone who sits at their table. They often share inside jokes that deliberately exclude others, or make plans that purposely leave people out.

Not every group of close friends is a clique. The difference is whether the group is open and welcoming or closed and exclusive. A cliquish group treats outsiders like they don't belong and makes newcomers feel unwanted. Some cliques form around shared interests like sports or music, but others form simply because members think they're better than everyone else.