exotic
Strikingly from elsewhere
Exotic describes something strikingly unusual because it originates from a distant place or unfamiliar culture: exotic spices, exotic birds, an exotic accent.
The word carries connotations of allure and fascination—the appeal of the foreign and rare.
It can shade into fetishizing difference: calling a person exotic often reduces them to their otherness.
An exotic dancer is a stripper, the adjective serving as euphemism.
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- jungleDense tropical forest
- palmHand's flat interior
- coconutHard-shelled tropical drupe
- mangoSouth Asian stone fruit
papaya · pineapple · banana · hibiscus · frangipani · orchid · parrot · toucan
Not previously known
- farawayAt great distance
- distantFar away or aloof
- overseasIn foreign countries
- importedObtained from overseas
outlandish · alien · nonnative · remote · otherworldly · strange · unknown · uncharted
Puzzling and obscure
inscrutable · obscure · veiled · hidden · secretive · mystical · unknown · unfathomable
Powerfully attractive
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
- glamorousAlluringly stylish and exciting
bewitching · mesmerizing · beguiling · irresistible · allure · mystique · tantalizing · intoxicating
rainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
mango · papaya · pineapple · banana · hibiscus · frangipani · orchid · parrot · toucan · macaw
unfamiliar
Not previously known
imported · outlandish · alien · nonnative · remote · otherworldly · strange · unknown · uncharted · unexplored
enigmatic
Puzzling and obscure
esoteric · inscrutable · obscure · veiled · hidden · secretive · mystical · unknown · unfathomable · sphinxlike
enticing
Powerfully attractive
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
glamorous · bewitching · mesmerizing · beguiling · irresistible · allure · mystique · tantalizing · intoxicating · sensual
lush
Richly abundant in growth
- verdantLush with plants
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- jungle-likeDense, wild, overgrown
flourishing · overgrown · dense · teeming · riotous · profuse · abundant · opulent · rich · foliage
- rarityrare, scarce, uncommon, infrequent, scant
- travel adjectivesscenic, adventurous, luxurious, remote, tropical
- descriptorsnew, novel, original, innovative, modern
- traveltrip, trips, journey, journeys, travel
- fragrancesperfume, cologne, aftershave, essential oils, floral
- luxuryluxury, wealth, luxurious, opulent, opulence
exoticordinary
Standard, unremarkable
commonplace · familiar · common · everyday · usual
exoticnative
Originating from a place
indigenous · endemic · local · domestic · homegrown
exoticunglamorous
Not attractive or exciting
plain · prosaic · unromantic · nonglamorous · dull
- exotic localeUnfamiliar, alluring destination
- exotic petsUncommon domesticated animals
- exotic animalsNon-domesticated foreign species
- exotic birdsUnusual avian species
- exotic fruitUncommon imported produce
- exotic meat
exotica, exoticism, exotics, exotically, exoticness, exoticize, exoticized, exoticizing, exotic dancer