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
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Names/Nombres" by Julia Alvarez
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Wild Animals Aren't Pets" and "Let People Own Exotic Animals"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He explained that in the 1800s the Isle of Man was already "considered an exotic place to go".
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
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 • Mar. 25, 2026
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 • Mar. 24, 2026
It’s true that some exotic fluids like battery coolant need to be monitored on an EV, and if you have a lead foot, you might burn through tires faster.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
It always seemed exciting to me when I met somebody from exotic places like Keystone or Iaeger, mining towns on the other side of the county.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
