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
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.
Edison denies the claims, calling their description of the fire’s start an “exotic ignition theory…contrary to accepted scientific principles.”
From Los Angeles Times
You don’t need exotic funds or complex hedges.
From MarketWatch
“I have always had this dream and vision of just a very exotic, kind of crazy couch that becomes the statement in the room,” she said.
From MarketWatch
Interpol says the growth in live animal seizures is driven by the exotic pet trade, but the market in bushmeat is also on the rise.
From BBC
Although computer simulations in 2022 suggested the inner core might take on this exotic form, confirming it in the laboratory had proven difficult -- until now.
From Science Daily
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.
