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
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 Web
Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
If black holes can grow this quickly, scientists may not need to invoke exotic, rare conditions to explain the existence of billion-solar-mass black holes so soon after the Big Bang.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Natives do not necessarily require less fertilizer or irrigation than exotics.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exotic
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Adjective
The exotic vehicle display at the auto show offers an up-close look at ultra-high-end vehicles from automakers such as Bentley, Lamborghini and McLaren.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
If black holes can grow this quickly, scientists may not need to invoke exotic, rare conditions to explain the existence of billion-solar-mass black holes so soon after the Big Bang.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
European exotics were also present.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Natives do not necessarily require less fertilizer or irrigation than exotics.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exotic
Cite this Entry
“Exotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exotic. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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