ex·ot·ic
ig-ˈzä-tik 
1
: introduced from another country : not native to the place where found
exotic plants
… exotic species creating havoc when introduced into new environments.—
Chemical & Engineering News
Chemical & Engineering News2
: strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual
exotic flavors
Until very recently the alpaca was an exotic sight at county fairs and petting zoos in the metropolitan region.—Glenn Collins
Glenn Collins3
: of or relating to striptease : involving or featuring exotic dancers
exotic dancing
an exotic nightclub
plural exotics
Synonyms
Examples of exotic in a Sentence
Adjective
She's known for her exotic tastes.
the gradual disappearance of exotic lands in a culturally homogenized world
Noun
Some native species are being crowded out by exotics.
the botanical garden boasts an array of horticultural exotics from around the world
Recent Examples on the WebChris Snellgrove, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024
The result is Kilt Carter, a triumphant record that connects the mournful tones of the Scottish Highlands with Beyoncé’s love for the exotic musical traditions of nations around the world and their streaming services.
—Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
After earning a degree in exotic animal training and management from Moorpark College, she's worked with big cats: bobcats, servals, lions and tigers.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
The bears are also poached for parts—their gallbladders contain bile used in traditional Chinese medicine, and their paws are a culinary delicacy—and they are even captured for the exotic pet trade.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Louis also wrote about the feral Mexican parrots thriving on L.A.’s exotic landscaping.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024
And increasingly, exotic species are taking hold in new regions.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024
Yet despite being able to drive a different exotic every day of the month, Lee measures true prosperity by the capacity to empower others.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024
Planted with thousands of native copaiba trees and exotic jackfruits, those blighted hills would eventually become the Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world.
—Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Alex Kwanten, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
That is every major expansion that still exists in the game plus the remnants of Forsaken which features a dungeon, raid and a bunch of exotics.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
The event highlights a diverse array of vehicles, ranging from classic cars to modern exotics.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2024
In Brazil, municipal nurseries bypass profitable exotics to prioritize native trees and in Togo, hairdressers are being trained to provide counseling for clients.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 2024
Officials ordered him to temporarily re-home his exotics.
—Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
But Holly did not obtain the permits required by Prince George’s animal control to have exotics in the county, officials said.
—Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
In the end, said Lena, the makeup was used only to make white actresses who played exotics, such as Hedy Lamarr in White Cargo (1942), intentionally darker.
—Donald Bogle, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2023
Flitting about like the monarchs the area is famous for are streams of classics and exotics sporting one-of-a-kind bodywork and rare engine options.
—Car and Driver, 16 Aug. 2023
Adjective
That’s the driving force behind Synchronic, a movie in which a paramedic (Anthony Mackie) gets enmeshed in a mystery surrounding several people dying or being driven insane by an exotic new designer drug.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024
The result is Kilt Carter, a triumphant record that connects the mournful tones of the Scottish Highlands with Beyoncé’s love for the exotic musical traditions of nations around the world and their streaming services.
—Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
After earning a degree in exotic animal training and management from Moorpark College, she's worked with big cats: bobcats, servals, lions and tigers.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
The bears are also poached for parts—their gallbladders contain bile used in traditional Chinese medicine, and their paws are a culinary delicacy—and they are even captured for the exotic pet trade.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Louis also wrote about the feral Mexican parrots thriving on L.A.’s exotic landscaping.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024
And increasingly, exotic species are taking hold in new regions.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024
Yet despite being able to drive a different exotic every day of the month, Lee measures true prosperity by the capacity to empower others.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024
Planted with thousands of native copaiba trees and exotic jackfruits, those blighted hills would eventually become the Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world.
—Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
There’s also a choice selection of classic and modern Porsches right at the front entrance to the main floor and the usual set of exotics from Karma, Lotus, Bentley and others.
—Alex Kwanten, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
That is every major expansion that still exists in the game plus the remnants of Forsaken which features a dungeon, raid and a bunch of exotics.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
The event highlights a diverse array of vehicles, ranging from classic cars to modern exotics.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2024
In Brazil, municipal nurseries bypass profitable exotics to prioritize native trees and in Togo, hairdressers are being trained to provide counseling for clients.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 2024
Officials ordered him to temporarily re-home his exotics.
—Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
But Holly did not obtain the permits required by Prince George’s animal control to have exotics in the county, officials said.
—Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
In the end, said Lena, the makeup was used only to make white actresses who played exotics, such as Hedy Lamarr in White Cargo (1942), intentionally darker.
—Donald Bogle, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2023
Flitting about like the monarchs the area is famous for are streams of classics and exotics sporting one-of-a-kind bodywork and rare engine options.
—Car and Driver, 16 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exotic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing exotic
Dictionary Entries Near exotic
Cite this Entry
“Exotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exotic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
exotic
1 of 2 adjective
ex·ot·ic
ig-ˈzät-ik
1
: introduced from another country
exotic plants
2
: very different or unusual
exotic colors
exotic
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a plant) that is exotic
More from Merriam-Webster on exotic
Nglish: Translation of exotic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of exotic for Arabic Speakers
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