English Dictionary |
ESOTERIC
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
IPA (US): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does esoteric mean?
• ESOTERIC (adjective)
The adjective ESOTERIC has 1 sense:
1. confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
Familiarity information: ESOTERIC used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
Context example:
a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories
Similar:
abstruse; deep; recondite (difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge)
arcane (requiring secret or mysterious knowledge)
cabalistic; cryptic; cryptical; kabbalistic; qabalistic; sibylline (having a secret or hidden meaning)
mysterious; mystic; mystical; occult; orphic; secret (having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding)
Also:
private (confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy)
Antonym:
exoteric (suitable for the general public)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Who loves cats has a beautiful wife" (Breton proverb)
"If you reach for the highest of ideals, you shouldn't settle for less than the stars" (Arabic proverb)
"As there is Easter, so there are meager times." (Corsican proverb)