exotic
Americanadjective
-
of foreign origin or character; not native; introduced from abroad, but not fully naturalized or acclimatized.
exotic foods; exotic plants.
-
strikingly unusual or strange in effect or appearance.
an exotic hairstyle.
-
of a uniquely new or experimental nature.
exotic weapons.
-
of, relating to, or involving stripteasing.
the exotic clubs where strippers are featured.
noun
-
something that is exotic.
The flower show included several tropical exotics with showy blooms.
-
an exotic dancer; a striptease dancer or belly dancer.
adjective
-
originating in a foreign country, esp one in the tropics; not native
an exotic plant
-
having a strange or bizarre allure, beauty, or quality
-
(of trees, esp pine trees) native to the northern hemisphere but cultivated in New Zealand
an exotic forest
-
of or relating to striptease
noun
Other Word Forms
- exotically adverb
- exoticism noun
- exoticness noun
- nonexotic adjective
- nonexotically adverb
- unexotic adjective
- unexotically adverb
Etymology
Origin of exotic
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin exōticus, from Greek exōtikós “foreign;” exo-, -tic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By the 1960s, it had a simple runway made of desert sand, used as a refuelling stop by airliners en route to arguably more exotic destinations.
From BBC
From its exotic location to the now-iconic buffs, “Survivor” established a world all its own, complete with a unique lexicon of immunity challenges, tribal council and Probst’s signature catchphrase, “The tribe has spoken.”
From Los Angeles Times
However, when she spoke to the Journal about the Longmeadow listing, Zeta-Jones hinted that she and Douglas may have purchased another property in a much more exotic destination.
From MarketWatch
Those sentiments echoed the words of previous stars of “The Bachelorette,” a spin-off of the network’s “The Bachelor” franchise centered on rose-colored romance, wacky contests, fantasy suites, exotic locations and over-the-top drama.
From Los Angeles Times
This understates the reality: Experts have concluded that Mr. White’s exotic propulsion doesn’t work.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
