exotic
Americanadjective
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of foreign origin or character; not native; introduced from abroad, but not fully naturalized or acclimatized.
exotic foods; exotic plants.
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strikingly unusual or strange in effect or appearance.
an exotic hairstyle.
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of a uniquely new or experimental nature.
exotic weapons.
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of, relating to, or involving stripteasing.
the exotic clubs where strippers are featured.
noun
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exotics
plural
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something that is exotic.
The flower show included several tropical exotics with showy blooms.
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an exotic dancer; a striptease dancer or belly dancer.
adjective
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originating in a foreign country, esp one in the tropics; not native
an exotic plant
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having a strange or bizarre allure, beauty, or quality
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(of trees, esp pine trees) native to the northern hemisphere but cultivated in New Zealand
an exotic forest
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of or relating to striptease
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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exoticismnoun
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exoticnessnoun
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nonexoticadjective
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unexoticadjective
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exoticallyadverb
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nonexoticallyadverb
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unexoticallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of exotic
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin exōticus, from Greek exōtikós “foreign;” see exo-, -tic
Explanation
Something so unusual that it must be from some unfamiliar place is exotic. An exotic pet might be a panda, instead of a hamster. An exotic trip might be a journey to the Galapagos Islands, instead of to Orlando's Sea World. Animals and people, or sensory things like food and smells, are often called exotic when they are from far-away lands. In the 16th century, exotic came into use — from Latin and Greek words for "foreign," which came, in turn, from exo-, meaning "outside." By the 17th century it was also being used to describe things that are striking or unusual. Even when the words strange and alien are sometimes used as synonyms.
Vocabulary lists containing exotic
Stargirl
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"Names/Nombres" by Julia Alvarez
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"Wild Animals Aren't Pets" and "Let People Own Exotic Animals"
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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.
See Examples For:
Now, as Nvidia backstops sprawling data-center projects and an exotic money pipeline to boost chip demand, the company’s influence is arguably bigger than ever.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
It’s clear the Chargers are still figuring out Mike McDaniel’s offense, and the new offensive coordinator wasn’t even getting exotic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Skiba pointed to AI companies tapping other sources of capital, including off-balance-sheet deals, mega financing of specific data-center projects and exotic chip-backed deals in the works.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
In February this year, customs officials seized 31 exotic animals from a passenger arriving from Bangkok, including tortoises, iguanas and snakes.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
By far the most exotic cargo, however, was human.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Last summer, the development team lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife test track in a mind-bending 6:49.275, thumping not a few half-million-dollar exotics in the process.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
The python has been transferred to a specialist exotics centre where it is recovering.
From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2023
Might as well take a take chance, too, and throw him in your exotics.
From New York Times ● May 19, 2022
Wrapping a vehicle in vinyl to alter its look was once the domain of show cars, luxury and exotics but has now gone mainstream as part of a growing multibillion-dollar industry.
From Seattle Times ● May 18, 2022
But I have yet to lay eyes on their exotics or ring stock.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
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.
