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exceptional

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl ]
/ ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR exceptional

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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Origin of exceptional

First recorded in 1840–50; exception + -al1

ANTONYMS FOR exceptional

2 average, ordinary.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR exceptional

synonym study for exceptional

1. See irregular.

OTHER WORDS FROM exceptional

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH exceptional

exceptionable, exceptional
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to exceptional

unusual, rare, remarkable, singular, phenomenal, noteworthy, notable, unheard-of, uncommon, extraordinary, strange, unique, odd, unprecedented, special, superior, good, outstanding, marvelous, first-rate

British Dictionary definitions for exceptional

exceptional
/ (ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of exceptional

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