definitions

exceptional

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl ]
/ ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nl /
|

adjective

forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary: The warm weather was exceptional for January.
unusually excellent; superior: an exceptional violinist.
Education. (of a child)
  1. being intellectually gifted.
  2. being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.

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Nearby words

except for, excepting, exception, exception proves the rule, the, exceptionable, exceptional, exceptionalism, exceptive, excerpt, excerpta, excess

Origin of exceptional

First recorded in 1840–50; exception + -al1

SYNONYMS FOR exceptional

1 uncommon, singular, strange, unnatural, aberrant, anomalous. See irregular.

ANTONYMS FOR exceptional

2 average.

Related forms

Can be confused

exceptionable exceptional
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for exceptionality

exceptional

/ (ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl) /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

exceptionally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012