Crossword Genius

It is adopted by fifth-rate celebs and privileged (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elitist

'privileged' is the definition.

'it is adopted by fifth-rate celebs' is the wordplay.
'is adopted by' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'fifth-rate celebs' becomes 'elist' (celebs several levels below A-list).
'it' going into 'elist' is 'ELITIST'.

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for elitist that I've seen before include "Believer in the superiority of a few" , "arrogant" , "for the cream" , "Favouring a select group" , "(One who is) discriminating in favour of select few" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app