# esoteric

/ˌɛsəˈtɛɹɪk/ (US) · /ˌɛsəʊtˈɛɹɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/esoteric
Updated: 2026-04-25

## Definition

understood by only a small number of people who have special knowledge or interest. You might describe a joke, a hobby, or a book this way if most people find it confusing.

For teachers: intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialised knowledge or interest. Frequently applied to obscure academic fields, niche hobbies, or mystical traditions.

## Examples

- The professor's lecture on ancient poetry was too esoteric for most students.
- He collects esoteric jazz records from the 1960s that only a handful of dedicated musicians have ever heard of.
- The software manual was filled with such esoteric jargon that even seasoned programmers struggled to configure the system without consulting external forums.

## Usage notes

- The adjective can be used attributively or predicatively. It frequently collocates with nouns denoting information, such as 'knowledge', 'jargon', 'details', or 'subjects'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.