esoteric
/ˌɛs.əʊˈtɛɹ.ɪk/
Group 10Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialized knowledge GRE
Example in Context
The theoretical physicist's work, once considered esoteric and impractical, eventually yielded technological applications that transformed entire industries.
Synonyms
obscurenichespecialized
Etymology
Belonging within a select group — understood by a few.
- eso- (Greek) — within
- terikos (Greek) — belonging to
Memory Aid
🔍Sounds like “S-O-T-Rick”
S-O-T-RICK explains secrets to only his small group of nerds — it's ESOTERIC knowledge!
Visual Association
🧙♂️A wizard whispering ancient secrets to a group of bewildered, nerdy apprentices.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “esoteric” mean on the GRE?
esoteric (adjective) means “Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialized knowledge”. The theoretical physicist's work, once considered esoteric and impractical, eventually yielded technological applications that transformed entire industries.
How to remember “esoteric” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “esoteric” sounds like “S-O-T-Rick”. S-O-T-RICK explains secrets to only his small group of nerds — it's ESOTERIC knowledge!
What are synonyms for “esoteric”?
Common synonyms: obscure, niche, specialized.