exotic

[ig-zot-ik]

adjective

1. of foreign origin or character; not native; introduced from abroad, but not fully naturalized or acclimatized.

   exotic foods; exotic plants.

2. strikingly unusual or strange in effect or appearance.

   an exotic hairstyle.

3. of a uniquely new or experimental nature.

   exotic weapons.

4. of, relating to, or involving stripteasing.

   the exotic clubs where strippers are featured.

noun

1. something that is exotic.

   The flower show included several tropical exotics with showy blooms.

2. an exotic dancer; a striptease dancer or belly dancer.

exotic

/ ɪɡˈzɒtɪk /

adjective

1. originating in a foreign country, esp one in the tropics; not native

   an exotic plant

2. having a strange or bizarre allure, beauty, or quality

3. (of trees, esp pine trees) native to the northern hemisphere but cultivated in New Zealand

   an exotic forest

4. of or relating to striptease

noun

1. an exotic person or thing

Other Word Forms

• exotically adverb
• exoticness noun
• nonexotic adjective
• nonexotically adverb
• unexotic adjective
• unexotically adverb
• exoticism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exotic¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin exōticus, from Greek exōtikós “foreign;” exo-, -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of exotic¹

C16: from Latin exōticus, from Greek exōtikos foreign, from exō outside

Example Sentences

Robinhood’s trading app makes it easy not just to buy and sell ordinary stocks, but to invest in options, cryptocurrencies and other exotic financial products, even to make sports bets and play the prediction markets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The same techniques may also help model other difficult systems, including exotic materials with unusual quantum properties.

Read more on Science Daily

They were all from his gentlemen’s club or from various banks, except for one thin, stained envelope with no return address but which bore many colorful postmarks and exotic stamps from distant lands.

Read more on Literature

“An exotic creature, to be sure. Once she’s stuffed she’ll make a handsome addition to your study. You can put her next to the elephant’s-foot umbrella stand.”

Read more on Literature

“To the Incorrigible children, these exotic beasts must have been as strange and comical looking as a person in a clown costume would be to the average child.”

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• alien 
• alluring 
• bizarre 
• colorful 
• curious 
• different 
• fascinating 
• glamorous 
• peculiar 
• romantic 
• strange 
• unfamiliar 
• unusual 
• weird