exoteric

[ek-suh-ter-ik]

adjective

1. suitable for or communicated to the general public.

2. not belonging, limited, or pertaining to the inner or select circle, as of disciples or intimates.

3. popular; simple; commonplace.

4. pertaining to the outside; exterior; external.

exoteric

/ ˌɛksəʊˈtɛrɪk /

adjective

1. intelligible to or intended for more than a select or initiated minority

   an exoteric account of a philosophical doctrine

2. external; exterior

Other Word Forms

• exotericism noun
• exoterically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoteric¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin exōtericus “popular (e.g., of books), not technical or abstruse,” from Greek exōterikós “external, outside, popular,” equivalent to exṓter(os) “outer” (from exō- adverb and prefix + -teros comparative suffix also used for natural and complementary pairs) + -ikos adjective suffix; exo-, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoteric¹

C17: from Latin exōtericus external, from Greek exōterikos, from exōterō further outside; see _exo-

Example Sentences

Through his prodding, I began to reconnect with the exoteric, crowd-pleasing Hollywood films I loved growing up.

From Salon

The chief Gnostic sects held as secret their essential doctrines, and at the same time they had an exoteric statement which they gave to the common people.

From Project Gutenberg

Communicated orally; oral; Ð applied to the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, those intended for his genuine disciples, in distinction from his exoteric doctrines, which were adapted to outsiders or the public generally.

From Project Gutenberg

The close of philosophy is not the place, even in a general exoteric discussion, to waste a word on what a “notion” means.

From Project Gutenberg

The only one which I could then comprehend was exoteric; that which was known to my elders was the esoteric meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• external 
• outdoor 
• outer