Exotics

/ɪɡˈzɑːtɪks/ noun

Definition

Exotic things, plants, animals, or people; items or organisms from foreign or distant places.

Etymology

From exotic + the plural suffix -s. This simply pluralizes exotic when used as a noun to refer to a collection of exotic items or specimens.

Kelly Says

Pet shops selling exotic reptiles and birds are sometimes trapping wild species at unsustainable rates—the word 'exotics' hides the ecological damage behind the appeal of owning something rare!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Plural noun referring to exotic things/people. When applied to people, it carries dehumanizing weight from colonial hierarchies. Reduces living people to aesthetic commodities.

Inclusive Usage

Acceptable for objects/plants/non-human subjects. Avoid for people. When discussing diverse cultures, use proper cultural identifiers instead.

Inclusive Alternatives

["distinctive items","culturally specific art","non-native species (for biology)"]

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.