exotic
/ɪɡˈzɒtɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪɡˈzɑːtɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ig-ˈzä-tik/ (ame, mw)
exotic — adjective
- exoticpositive
- more exoticcomparative
- most exoticsuperlative
1. coming from a distant country, especially one with a warm climate, and seeming i
coming from a distant country, especially one with a warm climate, and seeming interesting or special because it is unfamiliar in your own area
The chef used exotic spices from Madagascar to season the lamb.
collocation: exotic spices / exotic fruits / exotic plants
Ryo brought back exotic fabrics from his trip to Thailand last spring.
Exotic tropical flowers from South America filled the greenhouse at the botanical centre.
Anong tasted exotic fruits at the night market that she had never seen before.
Noor decorated her apartment with exotic carpets and ornaments from Morocco.
文法句型
exotic + noun
be/look/seem + exotic
常見錯誤
2. having a quality that is noticeably unusual and appealing, especially in the way
having a quality that is noticeably unusual and appealing, especially in the way something looks or is designed
The interior designer chose a rug with an exotic pattern for the hotel lobby.
collocation: exotic pattern / exotic beauty / exotic charm
Eri's jewellery had an exotic beauty that reminded people of ancient Persian art.
Mert painted the walls deep purple, which gave the room an exotic feel.
Their new building combines modern glass with exotic details borrowed from Middle Eastern architecture.
- striking
emphasises visual impact but does not necessarily imply foreign origins
- distinctive
highlights unique qualities that make something stand out, without the sensual appeal
- unusual
broader — covers anything out of the ordinary, not just attractive things
文法句型
exotic + noun
be/look + exotic
用法筆記
This sense focuses on unusual beauty or striking style rather than geographical origin. A locally made object can be described as exotic in this sense if its appearance is strikingly different from what is usual, for example an avant-garde dress or an unconventional piece of furniture.
常見錯誤
exotic — noun
1. a plant, animal, or object that comes from a distant country and is not normally
a plant, animal, or object that comes from a distant country and is not normally found in the area where you live
In the nineteenth century, plant collectors travelled far to find new exotics for European gardens.
plural form: exotics
The pet shop was fined for selling exotics that needed special care and permits.
Caio keeps several exotics in his aquarium, including fish from the Amazon River.
Customs officers at the airport seized a shipment of illegal exotics from Southeast Asia.
- non-native species
more technical and neutral — commonly used in ecology and conservation contexts
- foreign species
similar meaning but slightly less scientific in tone
- native species
opposite — a species that naturally occurs in the local area
- indigenous species
more formal antonym, emphasising natural origin
文法句型
exotics (plural noun referring to a category)
the + exotics (collective)
用法筆記
The noun form is most common in the plural ('exotics') to refer to a category of non-native plants or animals. The singular ('an exotic') exists but is less frequent; when you hear 'an exotic' alone, a specific type like a plant or animal is usually understood from context.