in-group
UK[ˈɪn ɡruːp]US[ˈɪn ɡruːp]
n
A small exclusive group of people with a shared interest or identity, often perceiving themselves as superior to or distinct from others.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
group
in
in
group
group
Etymology
The term 'ingroup' is a modern compound formed from two fundamental English words. 'In' derives from the Proto-Indo-European root en, meaning 'in', which passed directly into the Germanic and Old English linguistic stream. 'Group' entered English via French from the Italian 'gruppo', which itself originated from a Germanic root kruppaz, referring to a rounded mass or cluster. The sociological concept, coined in the early 20th century, logically combines these elements: the 'in' denotes social inclusion and boundary, while 'group' specifies the collective entity, creating a term for a social unit defined by its internal cohesion and distinction from outsiders.
Analysis
Structure: in (in) + group (group)
'in' is a preposition of spatial and social inclusion from Old English 'in', of Germanic origin. 'group' is a noun from French 'groupe', of Germanic origin, ultimately from a root meaning 'knot' or 'mass'.
Examples
The management formed an in-group that made all the important decisions behind closed doors.
Loyalty to the in-group is often stronger than allegiance to the larger organization.
Sociologists study how in-group bias can lead to prejudice against out-groups.