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

Derived Forms

• exˈoticness, noun
• exˈotically, adverb
• exˈotiˌcism, noun

Other Words From

• ex·oti·cal·ly adverb
• ex·otic·ness noun
• nonex·otic adjective
• nonex·oti·cal·ly adverb
• unex·otic adjective
• unex·oti·cal·ly adverb

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

She said being called things like "exotic" in school was new to her and she had to adjust to being around mostly white people.

From BBC

"I moved from London to Wales and was called exotic."

From BBC

Then he bought the cub for $25,000, sparking an investigation into the exotic pet trade.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Exotic Desert Hideaway — a.k.a. the hotel bar — you might bump into Roman Wrosz, a 68-year-old inventor and longtime local who flies gliders at the otherwise lonely Jacumba airport.

From Los Angeles Times

The Exotic Desert Hideaway Bar — as dim as the desert day is bright— features kitschy nudes on the walls, DJs on weekends, $5 beer during happy hour and a $78 cocktail situation known as “The Fortune Teller.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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