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exotic

[ ig-zot-ik ]
/ ɪgˈzɒt ɪk /
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See synonyms for: exotic / exotically / exoticness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
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.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of exotic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM exotic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH exotic

erotic, erratic, exotic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use exotic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exotic

exotic
/ (ɪɡˈzɒtɪk) /

adjective
originating in a foreign country, esp one in the tropics; not nativean exotic plant
having a strange or bizarre allure, beauty, or quality
NZ (of trees, esp pine trees) native to the northern hemisphere but cultivated in New Zealandan exotic forest
of or relating to striptease
noun
an exotic person or thing

Derived forms of exotic

exotically, adverbexoticism, nounexoticness, noun

Word Origin for exotic

C16: from Latin exōticus, from Greek exōtikos foreign, from exō outside
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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