1. From another part of the world; foreign: exotic tropical plants in a greenhouse. See synonyms at foreign.
2. Intriguingly unusual or different; excitingly strange: "If something can be explained simply, in a familiar way, then it is best to avoid more exotic explanations" (Chet Raymo). See synonyms at fantastic.
3. Of or involving striptease: an exotic dancer.

1. One that is exotic.
2. A striptease performer.

[Latin exōticus, from Greek exōtikos, from exō, outside. See exo-.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.