French word

exotisme

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛgzotizm/

Meaning

  • masculine nounexotic atmosphere

Example

La décoration met en valeur l'exotisme de cette maison.

The decor highlights the exotic atmosphere of this house.

Illustration for exotisme (exotic atmosphere)

More examples

Ce plat dégage un parfum d'exotisme.

This dish gives off an exotic fragrance.

Core concept

A familiar place made strikingly foreign by colors, sounds, scents, or tastes associated with another region.

Common phrases

  • une touche d'exotisme

    a hint of exoticism

  • parfum d'exotisme

    an exotic fragrance

Similar words

dépaysement: The unfamiliar feeling of being in a place unlike the usual surroundings.
ambiance: The distinctive mood or air that a place has.

Definition in French

Atmosphère perçue comme étrangère ou non familière, souvent suscitée par des éléments visuels, sonores ou gustatifs rappelant d'autres régions.

Word origin

Exotisme is formed from exotique with the suffix -isme; exotique comes through Latin exoticus from Greek exōtikos, based on exō, meaning 'outside'.

Usage tips

  • Exotisme is masculine, so the usual forms are un exotisme and l'exotisme before a vowel.

Other meanings

  • taste for the exoticnoun

Opposites

  • banalitébanalitynoun

Related words

  • exotiqueexoticadjective
  • exotiquementexoticallyadverb

Word lists with this word