HOW TO PRONOUNCE
esoteric
/ˌɛsəˈtɛɹɪk/
Press play to hear how to pronounce esoteric.
American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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Stress “ter,” the third syllable.
The main stress stays on ter even though The IPA shows different vowels in the preceding syllable.
4 syllables · Stress on syllable 3
TRY SAYING
“The lecture introduced an esoteric topic.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗What does esoteric mean?
adjective
- Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.
- Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
- Confidential; private.
More meanings (2)
noun
- An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy.
- One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˌɛsəˈtɛɹɪk/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Thus the theory of the whoopers and snorters of the cause, in its esoteric as well as in its public aspect, is unsound.
It was from him, to some extent, that Burton acquired the taste, afterwards so extraordinarily developed for erotic, esoteric and other curious knowledge.
More book examples (2)
A chance using of a verbal quibble, an esoteric phrase, the expression of a vague mysticism--these would suffice to call forth reams of exposition.
I suggest that the last verse in this paragraph strongly confirms the view that Nietzsche’s teaching was always meant by him to be esoteric and for higher man alone.