esoteric

[es-uh-ter-ik]

adjective

1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite.

   poetry full of esoteric allusions.

   Synonyms: enigmatic, cryptic, arcane, abstruse

2. belonging to the select few.

3. private; secret; confidential.

4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group.

   the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.

5. Computers.,  (of programming or a programming language) designed to test or explore an unusual programming concept, regardless of its usefulness.

esoteric

/ ˌɛsəʊˈtɛrɪk /

adjective

1. restricted to or intended for an enlightened or initiated minority, esp because of abstruseness or obscurity Compare exoteric

   an esoteric cult

2. difficult to understand; abstruse

   an esoteric statement

3. not openly admitted; private

   esoteric aims

Other Word Forms

• esoterically adverb
• nonesoteric adjective
• nonesoterically adverb
• unesoteric adjective
• esotericism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of esoteric¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Greek esōterikós “inner,” equivalent to esṓter(os) “inner” + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of esoteric¹

C17: from Greek esōterikos, from esōterō inner

Example Sentences

Even by the incendiary campaigns California is used to, Proposition 50 has been notable for its sharp attacks to cut through the dense, esoteric issue of congressional redistricting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Because he is mainly known for his bets against esoteric credit assets ahead of the 2007-08 financial crisis, Burry is wrongly labelled as a perennial bear.

Read more on MarketWatch

“Even though it’s kind of an esoteric topic that doesn’t affect their daily lives, it’s something voters are paying attention to.”

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The more familiar “Renaissance” nevertheless remains a rich and esoteric metaphor, suggesting a human capacity for rediscovery and renovation—for re-creation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The show provides at least modest assurance that real acting will survive as an esoteric service for an esoteric audience.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abstruse 
• arcane 
• mystical 

When To Use

What does esoteric mean?

Esoteric most commonly means obscure and only understood or intended to be understood by a small number of people with special (and perhaps secret) knowledge.It’s often used to describe knowledge that’s only intended to be revealed to people who have been initiated into a certain group. The word is often associated with mysticism and the occult.Such knowledge can be collectively referred to as esoterica, which can also refer collectively to books and other works that contain such topics.Example: To the uninitiated, this kind of esoteric knowledge is impenetrably arcane.