exotic

adjective ex·ot·ic \ ig-ˈzä-tik \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: exotic in a Sentence

Definition of exotic

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

exotic plants

2 archaic : foreign, alien

3 : strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual

exotic flavors

4 : of or relating to striptease

exotic dancing

—

exotically

play \ig-ˈzä-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

—

exoticness

play \ig-ˈzä-tik-nəs\ noun

See exotic defined for English-language learners

See exotic defined for kids

Examples of exotic in a Sentence

She's known for her exotic tastes.
the gradual disappearance of exotic lands in a culturally homogenized world

Recent Examples of exotic from the Web

The show is a look at what has become of and may still emerge from a once-great American city — not an exploration of exotic foods or a tour of dining spots.

— sylvia rector, Detroit Free Press, "Flashback: Anthony Bourdain visits Detroit for 'Parts Unknown'," 8 June 2018
Accustomed to being coddled by courtiers, Margaret is entranced by the exotic appeal of someone who has no regard or seeming respect for the royal family.

— julie miller, HWD, "The Crown: Vanessa Kirby Takes Us Inside Princess Margaret’s “Sexual Awakening”," 8 June 2018
Healthy Choice, a diet brand launched in 1989, rolled out new microwavable meal bowls with trendy ingredients like edamame, kale and quinoa, and exotic flavors like Cuban pork and Korean beef.

— aaron back, WSJ, "Why the Frozen-Food Aisle Is Hot Right Now," 7 June 2018
Among them: Mark (Logan Marks), a filmmaker; Roger (Logan Farine), an aspiring songwriter; Mimi (Deri’andra Tucker), an exotic dancer; and Angel (Javon King), a drag queen and street performer.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Touring production dampens — but can’t quench — the spirit of ‘Rent’," 6 June 2018
The Caribbean sound of steel drums may have seemed exotic amid the steel guitars at this year’s San Jacinto Day Festival in La Porte, and that was part of the fun.

— yvette orozco, Houston Chronicle, "Parkview Intermediate music director had a few steel drums and an idea," 6 June 2018
There would be lazy rivers, an unending tangle of waterslides, aquariums filled with exotic fish and crocodiles, and a giant amphitheater from which to watch daily shows.

— christina pérez, Vogue, "Summers Past: Inside an Eerie Abandoned Water Park in Vietnam," 6 June 2018
Just like he’s done every morning and afternoon for the last year, Ike Iloputaife took his two exotic borzoi dogs for a 90-minute walk in his San Diego County neighborhood in the early morning hours of May 16.

— pam kragen, latimes.com, "Black man walks his dogs down his block, ends up pictured in hunt for burglary suspects," 5 June 2018
Thanks to this new device, exotic fish are starting to pop up in aquariums.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Clever New Invention Can Bring Bizarre-Looking Fish Up From the Deep Ocean," 5 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exotic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exotic

Latin exoticus, from Greek exōtikos, from exō

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1599

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

exotic Synonyms

Synonyms

fantastic (also fantastical), glamorous (also glamourous), marvelous (or marvellous), outlandish, romantic, strange;

Antonyms

familiar, nonexotic, nonglamorous, unexotic, unglamorous, unromantic;

alien, foreign;

dark, distant, faraway, remote;

alluring, captivating, enchanting, fascinating, magical;

exotic

noun

Definition of exotic

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

2 : stripteaser

3 : exotic shorthair

See exotic defined for English-language learners

Examples of exotic in a Sentence

Some native species are being crowded out by exotics.
the botanical garden boasts an array of horticultural exotics from around the world

Recent Examples of exotic from the Web

Featuring hot rods, classics, exotics and bikes, the season opener was a great neighborhood-style show, giving numerous awards for the winners among the stellar selection of rides participating.

— heidi van horne, Houston Chronicle, "1969 Chevy Camaro is a show-stopper in Marina del Rey," 2 June 2018
For those playing exotics, use No. 1 Bonmont and No.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Jon White’s top 10 Kentucky Derby horses before the San Felipe," 9 Mar. 2018
All of the other animals, most of them carnivorous exotics like tigers and lions and bears, were killed by police.

— Longreads, "Wild At Heart," 17 May 2018
Two of the exotics, ibex and oryx, trace back to Frank C. Hibben, an avid hunter and chairman of the New Mexico Game Commission in the late 1940s and ’50s who advocated importing big-game species to bolster the state’s hunting opportunities.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "Believe It or Not, You Can Safari in New Mexico," 16 Apr. 2018
The event will feature cars from the classics to the latest exotics.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Coffee & Cars reschedules for Saturday, April 14," 11 Apr. 2018
East side of the lot is reserved strictly for exotics, north side is imports and south side American muscle.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fairs & Festivals," 28 Mar. 2018
The most popular boots Ramirez has noticed for most men include square toe style boots with regular cowhides and some exotics such ostrich, alligator, python, and stingray boots.

— vagney bradley, Houston Chronicle, "Boot scootin' at the rodeo means big business to Cypress shop," 2 Mar. 2018
Headroom With the wind tunnel drawing aggressive tumblehome and longitudinal tapers into their cockpits, many exotics leave little headroom for tall drivers.

— eric tingwall, Car and Driver, "Driving from the Middle of the Car Is About to Make a Comeback: Here Are the Pros and Cons," 20 Feb. 2018