exceptional
Americanadjective
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forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary.
The warm weather was exceptional for January.
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unusually excellent; superior.
an exceptional violinist.
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Education. (of a child)
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being intellectually gifted.
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being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.
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adjective
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forming an exception; not ordinary
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having much more than average intelligence, ability, or skill
Synonym Usage
See irregular.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of exceptional
Explanation
Generally, exceptional is a compliment––"the concert was exceptional" means it was better than what could have been expected. But it can also just mean unusual. "Maria gets to skip gym, but hers is an exceptional case." Exceptional begins with the Latin prefix ex- 'out,' because something exceptional stands out in some way. In certain cases, exceptional can mean under-performing. Children with special educational needs are sometimes referred to in this way, as exceptional or special.
Vocabulary lists containing exceptional
Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
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Between the World and Me
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Because of Mr. Terupt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
The helmets survived in exceptional condition thanks to a combination of sediment and mineral deposits that formed around them underwater.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
By contrast, “Liberation,” which was directed with captivating brio by Whitney White, left no doubts about the exceptional quality of the writing.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
“The expectation is that…the mare will acquire sprinter-like characteristics that she did not previously have, while maintaining her other exceptional traits,” said Gabriel Vichera, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Kheiron.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
A successful quest for Olympic gold would require finding nine young men of exceptional strength, grace, endurance, and most of all mental toughness.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
