exotic

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​ot·​ic ig-ˈzä-tik How to pronounce exotic (audio)
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 adverb
exoticness noun

exotic

2 of 2

noun

plural exotics
1
: one (such as a plant or animal) that is exotic
2
3

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
And while nothing beats visiting exotic locations in person, there’s an opportunity here for people who don’t have the time, money or mobility to travel to these destinations without technology. Gideon Kimbrell, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 Materials matter Eco-friendly building materials don’t have to be exotic. Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 Seasons change, apps pivot, and users learn to chase the adrenaline of the future through new and exotic machines of possibility. Jason Parham, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 Its first leap onto the international stage was in the 1920s, when American consumers were captivated by what those at the time viewed as an exaggeratedly exotic and cosmopolitan pursuit. Kinsey Gidicl, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 This will give customers the first pick of rare, exotic, and the best egg laying breeds. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Your origin story need not be overly exotic or adventurous. Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Most people think of endangered languages as far-flung or exotic, the opposite of cosmopolitan. New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 The discovery sends mother and daughters from the slopes of Siberia to the shores of Iceland to an exotic animal farm in Italy, resulting in the birth of a creature that could change the world — or at least their family. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
That is every major expansion that still exists in the game plus the remnants of Forsaken which features a dungeon, raid and a bunch of exotics. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 The event highlights a diverse array of vehicles, ranging from classic cars to modern exotics. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2024 In Brazil, municipal nurseries bypass profitable exotics to prioritize native trees and in Togo, hairdressers are being trained to provide counseling for clients. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 2024 Officials ordered him to temporarily re-home his exotics. Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023 But Holly did not obtain the permits required by Prince George’s animal control to have exotics in the county, officials said. Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023 In the end, said Lena, the makeup was used only to make white actresses who played exotics, such as Hedy Lamarr in White Cargo (1942), intentionally darker. Donald Bogle, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2023 Flitting about like the monarchs the area is famous for are streams of classics and exotics sporting one-of-a-kind bodywork and rare engine options. Car and Driver, 16 Aug. 2023 Many Italian exotics weren't officially sold in the U.S. in the 1980s, and gray market importing frequently involved a little hustling. Brendan McAleer, Car and Driver, 8 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exotic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of exotic was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near exotic

Cite this Entry

“Exotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exotic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exotic

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​ot·​ic ig-ˈzät-ik How to pronounce exotic (audio)
1
: introduced from another country
exotic plants
2
: very different or unusual
exotic colors
exotically adverb
exoticness noun

exotic

2 of 2 noun
: something (as a plant) that is exotic

More from Merriam-Webster on exotic

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