exotic

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​ot·​ic ig-ˈzä-tik 

1

: introduced from another country : not native to the place where found

exotic plants

… exotic species creating havoc when introduced into new environments.

—Chemical & Engineering News

2

: strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual

exotic flavors

Until very recently the alpaca was an exotic sight at county fairs and petting zoos in the metropolitan region.

—Glenn Collins

3

: of or relating to striptease : involving or featuring exotic dancers

exotic dancing

an exotic nightclub

4

archaic : foreign, alien

exotically

ig-ˈzä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

exoticness

ig-ˈzä-tik-nəs 

noun

exotic

2 of 2

noun

plural exotics

1

: one (such as a plant or animal) that is exotic

2

: exotic dancer

3

: exotic shorthair

Synonyms

Adjective

• bizarro
• fantastic
• fantastical
• glamorous
• glamourous
• marvelous
• marvellous
• outlandish
• romantic
• strange

Noun

• curio
• curiosity
• objet d'art
• objet
• oddity
• oddment
• rarity

Examples of exotic in a Sentence

Adjective

She's known for her exotic tastes.

the gradual disappearance of exotic lands in a culturally homogenized world

Noun

Some native species are being crowded out by exotics.

the botanical garden boasts an array of horticultural exotics from around the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Drought-resistant millets, sorghum and legumes, staples until the early 20th century when they were overtaken by exotic white corn, have been taking up more land space in recent years. —Farai Mutsaka, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024

There’s an array of watercraft at your disposal — jet skis, sea-bobs, kayaks, paddleboards, and water bicycles — for reef explorations and close encounters with turtles, rays, exotic fish, and centuries-old bommies (columnar corals, an indigenous word) submerged beneath the sea. —Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin exoticus, from Greek exōtikos, from exō

First Known Use

Adjective

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing exotic

• exotic dancer
• exotic shorthair

Kids Definition

exotic

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​ot·​ic ig-ˈzät-ik 

1

: introduced from another country

exotic plants

2

: very different or unusual

exotic colors

exotically

-ˈzät-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

exoticness

-ik-nəs 

noun

exotic

2 of 2 noun

: something (as a plant) that is exotic