esoterica

American  

[es-uh-ter-i-kuh] / ˌɛs əˈtɛr ɪ kə /

plural noun

1. things understood by or meant for a select few; recondite matters or items.

2. curiosa.

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Usage

What does esoterica mean? Esoterica is obscure knowledge or topics that are only understood or intended to be understood by a small number of people, especially those within a certain group. It can also refer collectively to books and other works that contain such topics. The word is often associated with mysticism and the occult. The related adjective esoteric is most commonly used to describe obscure topics and matters that are only understood by a small number of people with special (and perhaps secret) knowledge. In other words, esoterica consists of esoteric knowledge and things filled with esoteric knowledge. Example: To the uninitiated, this esoterica is impenetrably arcane.

Etymology

Origin of esoterica

First recorded in 1925–30; from New Latin esoterica, noun use of Greek neuter plural adjective esōterikós esoteric

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

esoterica

Mixed in are obscure esoterica about the world of the occult.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Wave functions, superposition and other esoterica remind me that this is a strange, strange world; there is a mystery at the heart of things that ordinary language can never quite capture.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 24, 2022

Soon Mellon money was being used not for esoterica but to try to remake the tax system.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2021

Ms. Novak leans toward esoterica and the metaphysical: ghosts, astral projection, out-of-body experiences, E.M.D.R. therapy and skin care, to name a few.

From New York Times ● Aug. 20, 2021

The palmistry, the scriptology, the rest of their esoterica.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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