Ask Difference

Novel vs. Exotic — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
A "novel" idea is new and original, bringing a fresh perspective, whereas "exotic" refers to something intriguingly unusual or strikingly different, often foreign.
Novel vs. Exotic — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Novel and Exotic

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Key Differences

A "novel" idea is one that introduces fresh and original thinking. It conveys creativity or a new way of approaching something. In contrast, "exotic" often describes something with striking unfamiliarity due to its foreign origin or uniqueness.
People describe ideas as "novel" when they break from traditional approaches. Meanwhile, "exotic" is more frequently used for objects, places, or experiences that are enticing because they're rare or uncommon.
A "novel" concept could be a groundbreaking technological invention, whereas an "exotic" concept might refer to rare spices or flora that are not native.
"Novel" usually has an innovative connotation, encouraging new ways of thinking. "Exotic," on the other hand, might evoke curiosity due to an object's extraordinary or uncommon characteristics.

Comparison Chart

Definition

Original or new in thought or design
Strikingly unusual or intriguingly foreign
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Common Usage

Ideas, inventions, solutions
Flora, fauna, cuisine, cultures

Connotation

Positive, innovative, creative
Positive, rare, unique

Origin

Any place
Typically foreign, non-native

Applicability

Usually intellectual, artistic
Often tangible, cultural

Compare with Definitions

Novel

An extended fictional narrative.
He was engrossed in reading his favorite mystery novel.

Exotic

Foreign or originating from a distant place.
The garden is filled with exotic plants.

Novel

New and not resembling something previously known.
The scientist proposed a novel approach to clean energy.

Exotic

Having a unique or captivating charm.
The exotic flavors in the cuisine made the meal memorable.

Novel

Unique or fresh in concept.
The artist's technique was novel and surprising.

Exotic

Intriguing or enticing due to its rarity.
The shop features an array of exotic spices from around the world.

Novel

Original or strikingly different.
Her novel solution won the innovation contest.

Exotic

Strikingly different or unusual.
Her exotic hairstyle caught everyone's attention.

Novel

Unprecedented or not seen before.
The novel structure of the bridge attracted visitors.

Exotic

Rare or not commonly encountered.
He is always seeking exotic destinations for travel.

Novel

A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the Italian: novella for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itself from the Latin: novella, a singular noun use of the neuter plural of novellus, diminutive of novus, meaning "new".Some novelists, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Ann Radcliffe, John Cowper Powys, preferred the term "romance" to describe their novels.

Exotic

From another part of the world; foreign
Exotic tropical plants in a greenhouse.

Novel

A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters.

Exotic

Intriguingly unusual or different; excitingly strange
“If something can be explained simply, in a familiar way, then it is best to avoid more exotic explanations” (Chet Raymo).

Novel

The literary genre represented by novels.

Exotic

Of or involving striptease
An exotic dancer.

Novel

Strikingly new, unusual, or different.

Exotic

A plant or animal that is exotic.

Novel

Newly made, formed or evolved; having no precedent; of recent origin; new.

Exotic

A striptease performer.

Novel

Original, especially in an interesting way; new and striking; not of the typical or ordinary type.

Exotic

Foreign, especially in an exciting way.
An exotic appearance

Novel

A work of prose fiction, longer than a novella.

Exotic

Non-native to the ecosystem.

Novel

(historical) A fable; a short tale, especially one of many making up a larger work.

Exotic

(finance) Being or relating to an option with features that make it more complex than commonly traded options.

Novel

(obsolete) A novelty; something new.

Exotic

(gambling) Being or relating to various wagers, such as the trifecta, that involve betting on the finishing positions of multiple competitors across one or more races.

Novel

A new legal constitution in ancient Rome.

Exotic

(biology) An organism that is exotic to an environment.

Novel

Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence, out of the ordinary course; unusual; strange; surprising.

Exotic

An exotic dancer; a stripteaser.

Novel

That which is new or unusual; a novelty.

Exotic

(physics) Any exotic particle.
Glueballs, theoretical particles composed only of gluons, are exotics.

Novel

News; fresh tidings.
Some came of curiosity to hear some novels.

Exotic

Introduced from a foreign country; not native; extraneous; foreign; as, an exotic plant; an exotic term or word.
Nothing was so splendid and exotic as the ambassador.

Novel

A fictitious tale or narrative, longer than a short story, having some degree of complexity and development of characters; it is usually organized as a time sequence of events, and is commonly intended to exhibit the operation of the passions, and often of love.

Exotic

Anything of foreign origin; something not of native growth, as a plant, a word, a custom.
Plants that are unknown to Italy, and such as the gardeners call exotics.

Novel

A extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

Exotic

Being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world;
Alien customs
Exotic plants in a greenhouse
Exotic cuisine

Novel

A printed and bound book that is an extended work of fiction;
His bookcases were filled with nothing but novels
He burned all the novels

Exotic

Strikingly strange or unusual;
An exotic hair style
Protons, neutrons, electrons and all their exotic variants
The exotic landscape of a dead planet

Novel

Of a kind not seen before;
The computer produced a completely novel proof of a well-known theorem

Novel

Pleasantly novel or different;
Common sense of a most refreshing sort

Common Curiosities

Can "exotic" describe an idea?

Generally, "exotic" is used more for tangible things or experiences rather than abstract ideas.

Does "exotic" imply quality?

"Exotic" often implies desirability due to rarity, but not inherently high quality.

Is a "novel" idea always practical?

Not necessarily; a "novel" idea means it's new and unique, but it may need refining for practical use.

How do "novel" and "exotic" relate to art?

"Novel" can refer to unique styles or movements, while "exotic" might describe art influenced by foreign or rare elements.

Is "novel" only used for creative fields like art or literature?

No, "novel" is also applicable in science, technology, and business for innovative discoveries, approaches, and solutions.

Can a book be both "novel" and "exotic"?

Yes, a book can be novel due to its original storyline or writing style, and exotic if it incorporates uncommon cultural elements or unfamiliar settings.

Is a "novel" approach better than a conventional one?

A "novel" approach may provide a fresh perspective, but conventional methods could be more reliable.

Can "exotic" have a negative connotation?

While "exotic" often conveys intrigue or charm, it can have negative connotations if perceived as overly foreign or strange.

How does "exotic" relate to travel?

In travel, "exotic" often describes destinations that are culturally different, lesser-known, and appealing due to their unfamiliarity.

Are "novel" and "exotic" interchangeable in some contexts?

Not quite; "novel" focuses on originality or freshness, whereas "exotic" emphasizes something's rare, foreign, or unusual nature.

Is "novel" a synonym for "innovative"?

They are similar but not identical; "novel" emphasizes originality, while "innovative" focuses on applying new methods or ideas effectively.

Does "exotic" imply something rare or hard to find?

Often, yes. "Exotic" suggests something not commonly encountered or possessing special allure due to its scarcity or foreignness.

Is "novel" always positive in connotation?

Generally, "novel" is positive, but a "novel" idea can be impractical or too unconventional for some contexts.

Can "exotic" apply to people?

"Exotic" can describe a person's appearance or style if it's distinctly different or captivating, but it's important to use it sensitively.

Can "novel" be used to describe solutions to problems?

Yes, a "novel" solution suggests a new and creative way of addressing a problem.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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