exoticism

[ ig-zot-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. tendency to adopt what is exotic.
2. exotic quality or character.
3. anything exotic, as a foreign word or idiom.

Other Words From

• ex·oti·cist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoticism¹

First recorded in 1820–30; exotic + -ism

Example Sentences

Mostly, she is there because it strategically isolates the character, limits her choices and gives the movie a dank whiff of Old World exoticism.

From New York Times

She went on to cite the “cultural exoticism depicted in author James Clavell’s bestseller ‘Shōgun’” as adding to America’s fixation on Japanese culture.

From Salon

The gold-and-ecru throne room of Act II still dazzles, and eye-popping exoticism runs rampant, with acrobats, ribbon dancers, curled-roof pavilions and a dragon puppet.

From New York Times

This reminds you of the setting’s exoticism and complements the slow-boiling sense of peril, including the obvious unease building in the characters’ head space.

From New York Times

He delivered a sense of exoticism in the landscape but also the people.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curio
• novelty
• rarity