Esoteric

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɛs.əʊˈtɛɹ.ɪk/
• US IPA: /ˌɛs.əˈtɛɹ.ɪk/, /ˌɛs.oʊˈtɛɹ.ɪk/, enPR: Ä›sÉ™tÄ›r'Ä­k
• Rhymes: -É›rɪk

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἐσωτερικός (esōterikos, "belonging to an inner circle"), from ἐσωτέρω (esōterō, "further inside"), comparative of ἔσω (esō, "within"), from ἐς (es), εἰς (eis, "into") (esoteric originally referred to the secret teachings of Greek philosophers, versus public or exoteric ones).

Full definition of esoteric

Adjective

1. intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.''The writing in this manual is very esoteric; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!
2. Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
3. Confidential; private.

Synonyms

• (understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle) arcane, recondite
• (highly theoretical; not practical) cerebral
• (confidential; private) secretive

Antonyms

• exoteric

Related terms

• esoterica
• esoterically
• esotericism
• esotericist
• esoterism

Anagrams

• coteries