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 

• ESOTERIC (adjective)

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)