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esoteric

ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪkadjective

What does esoteric mean?

Understood by only a small circle of people with special knowledge.

Esoteric, six ways

PlainUnderstood by only a small circle of people with special knowledge.
ADHDInsider knowledge. Few get it. Fewer care.
Gen ZNiche to the point of being a secret club. Deep-cut references.
MetaphorA door that opens only from inside.
FormalIntended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialized knowledge.
Like I’m 5Something only a few people know about because it is so special or strange. That’s esoteric.

How to pronounce esoteric

es-uh-TER-ik/ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk/

Esoteric in a sentence

The lecture drifted into esoteric details.
The conversation turned to esoteric details of train timetables.
Esoteric teachings were kept for initiates.

Synonyms for esoteric

obscureLittle known, for any reason.
arcaneMysterious and old, known to few.
specializedNeutral, for expert knowledge.

Where esoteric comes from

Greek. Esōterikos, belonging to an inner circle, from esō, within. First said of Aristotle’s teaching for his closest students.

Good to know

Esoteric means meant for an inner circle. Its opposite, exoteric, means suitable for everyone.

Esoteric meaning, on a Gloss card: Understood by only a small circle of people with special knowledge.

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Words like esoteric

didactic · obfuscate · enigma · ethereal · equanimity · mondegreen · All 110 words

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