exotic
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
Chemical & Engineering News2
: 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
Glenn Collins3
: of or relating to striptease : involving or featuring exotic dancers
exotic dancing
an exotic nightclub
Synonyms of exotic
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 on the Web
Some people just can’t wrap their heads around EVs and still see them as an exotic, untested technology.
—Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Bathurst snake catcher Stefanie Lesser told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the larger exotic species were likely being sold as a cost-effective reptile food, because their large size meant fewer insects were needed per feeding.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
The agency warns residents to do their research before purchasing exotic pets and to never release them into the wild.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Although not particularly aggressive or dangerous, tegus may carry exotic parasites as well as harmful bacteria including salmonella.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exotic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Bathurst snake catcher Stefanie Lesser told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the larger exotic species were likely being sold as a cost-effective reptile food, because their large size meant fewer insects were needed per feeding.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
The agency warns residents to do their research before purchasing exotic pets and to never release them into the wild.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Although not particularly aggressive or dangerous, tegus may carry exotic parasites as well as harmful bacteria including salmonella.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exotic
Cite this Entry
“Exotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exotic. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
exotic
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a plant) that is exotic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
