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

Other Word Forms

• exceptionality noun
• exceptionally adverb
• exceptionalness noun
• nonexceptional adjective
• preexceptional adjective
• quasi-exceptional adjective
• superexceptional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exceptional¹

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

Synonym Study

See irregular.

Example Sentences

Adam Wharton, their exceptional playmaker, is also being courted by European football's elite clubs.

From BBC

Ending the survey allows the government to preserve a different story, one in which scarcity is aberrant and prosperity is the norm, and any evidence to the contrary can be written off as exceptional.

From Salon

"What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG," said an emotional Dembele, whose mother joined him on the stage.

From BBC

She said immediate custody would harm others, including Breen's son, unborn child, and the child she cares for, making this an "exceptional case".

From BBC

The acronym “GOAT” has become so common in colloquial conversation that it has practically lost all significance, appearing so frequently that the idea of greatness has been dulled into something ordinary, rather than exceptional.

From Salon

Related Words

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