esoteric

UK: /ˌiːsəʊˈtɛrɪk/ US: /ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk/ ,(es′ə ter′ik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

es•o•ter•ic /ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk/   adj. 

1. understood by or meant for only a small number of people who have special knowledge or interest:
   poetry full of esoteric allusions.
2. private;
   secret:
   an esoteric ritual.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

es•o•ter•ic  (es′ə ter′ik), adj. 

1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest;
   recondite:
   poetry full of esoteric allusions.
2. belonging to the select few.
3. private;
   secret;
   confidential.
4. Philosophy (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group:
   the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.

• Greek esōterikós inner, equivalent. to esó̄ter(os) inner + -ikos -ic
• 1645–55

es′o•ter′i•cal•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. abstruse, arcane, cryptic, enigmatic.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

esoteric / ˌɛsəʊˈtɛrɪk/ adjective

1. restricted to or intended for an enlightened or initiated minority, esp because of abstruseness or obscurity
2. difficult to understand; abstruse
3. not openly admitted; private

Etymology: 17th Century: from Greek esōterikos, from esōterō inner

ˌesoˈterically adverb

ˌesoˈteriˌcism, eˈsoteˌrism noun