exotic
English meaning: Exotic
Definition
An organism that is exotic to an environment.
Example
“They honeymooned at an exotic resort in the Indian Ocean.”
Another example: “Keeping exotic pets such as snakes requires a special licence.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Most commonly an adjective meaning foreign, unusual, or strikingly different (the noun in the entry refers to a non-native organism). Common in travel, food ('exotic spices'), and biology ('exotic species', meaning invasive non-natives).
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Greek 'exotikos' (from outside, foreign), from 'exo' (outside), via Latin, entering English in the late 1500s.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
Common Collocations
- exotic location
- exotic fruit
- exotic species
- exotic animals
- exotic destination
Word Forms
exotic (adj/n); exotics (pl.); exotically (adv); exoticism (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B