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 of exotic

Adjective

• romantic
• strange
• foreign
• marvelous

Noun

• 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

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

Noun

For instance, of Todd Pletcher’s two contenders this evening, this statistic favors Powershift over top morning-line favorite Renegade, which argues (to certain exotics players) that Powershift could well be pushed forward by that factor to be there at the end of the race, and help bring a price. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

At least the pedals aren’t awkwardly offset, unlike many Italian exotics of this era. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin exoticus, from Greek exōtikos, from exō

First Known Use

Adjective

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing exotic

• exotic dancer
• exotic shorthair

Rhymes for exotic

• aprotic
• aquatic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• despotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• fibrotic
• hieratic

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