exceptional

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary:

   The warm weather was exceptional for January.

   Synonyms: anomalous, aberrant, unnatural, strange, singular, uncommon

2. unusually excellent; superior:

   an exceptional violinist.

   Antonyms: ordinary, average

3. Education. (of a child)
   1. being intellectually gifted.
   2. being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.

exceptional

/ ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl /

adjective

1. forming an exception; not ordinary
2. having much more than average intelligence, ability, or skill

Derived Forms

• exˈceptionally, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·cep·tion·al·i·ty [ik-sep-sh, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• ex·cep·tion·al·ly adverb
• ex·cep·tion·al·ness noun
• non·ex·cep·tion·al adjective
• pre·ex·cep·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-ex·cep·tion·al adjective
• su·per·ex·cep·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exceptional¹

First recorded in 1840–50; exception + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See irregular.

Example Sentences

For them, at least, the United States remains the exceptional nation, the indispensable one you turn to in time of trouble.

From The Daily Beast

Jackson was an exceptional math and science student; the dreaded Bartlett was one of his favorite professors.

From The Daily Beast

As the doors opened, there were black people who were exceptional opening those doors.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, 2014 was a big Republican win, but this idea that Obama showed exceptional weakness in the midterms is simply inaccurate.

From The Daily Beast

I do think the Holocaust is exceptional in all kinds of ways.

From The Daily Beast

It has only been a rare and exceptional class hitherto that has gone on learning throughout life.

From Project Gutenberg

Here and there exceptional industry or extraordinary capacity raised the artisan to wealth and turned the "man" into the "master."

From Project Gutenberg

Tausig, in my opinion, did possess exceptional genius in composition, though he left but few works behind him to attest it.

From Project Gutenberg

Even this exceptional pupil had better carefully study the ensuing examples.

From Project Gutenberg

His exceptional ability was soon recognised and his promotion was rapid.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extraordinary
• notable
• noteworthy
• odd
• phenomenal
• rare
• remarkable
• singular
• special
• strange
• uncommon
• unheard-of
• unique
• unprecedented
• unusual