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

The varying sculptures are used as flower pots for native and exotic species, per the fair. —Sommer Brugal, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

This theory received credence because Wuhan also has a market that sells exotic animals for human consumption. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Noun

Plants like trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm, and hummingbird sage provide much more nectar than hybrids and exotics. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Mar. 2024

Alex Hirschi leapfrogged auto-journalism conventions by building a vast social media audience of 120 million followers by showcasing some of the most innovative exotics in existence. —Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2024

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

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