exoteric

[ek-suh-ter-ik]

adjective

1. suitable for or communicated to the general public.

2. not belonging, limited, or pertaining to the inner or select circle, as of disciples or intimates.

3. popular; simple; commonplace.

4. pertaining to the outside; exterior; external.

exoteric

/ ˌɛksəʊˈtɛrɪk /

adjective

1. intelligible to or intended for more than a select or initiated minority

   an exoteric account of a philosophical doctrine

2. external; exterior

Other Word Forms

• exoterically adverb
• exotericism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoteric¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin exōtericus “popular (e.g., of books), not technical or abstruse,” from Greek exōterikós “external, outside, popular,” equivalent to exṓter(os) “outer” (from exō- adverb and prefix + -teros comparative suffix also used for natural and complementary pairs) + -ikos adjective suffix; exo-, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoteric¹

C17: from Latin exōtericus external, from Greek exōterikos, from exōterō further outside; see _exo-

Example Sentences

Through his prodding, I began to reconnect with the exoteric, crowd-pleasing Hollywood films I loved growing up.

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The chief Gnostic sects held as secret their essential doctrines, and at the same time they had an exoteric statement which they gave to the common people.

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Communicated orally; oral; Ð applied to the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, those intended for his genuine disciples, in distinction from his exoteric doctrines, which were adapted to outsiders or the public generally.

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This allegation I will further elucidate in this exoteric discussion: and the only way to do so is to set down the evidence.

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The only one which I could then comprehend was exoteric; that which was known to my elders was the esoteric meaning.

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Related Words

• external 
• outdoor 
• outer