exceptionally

American  

[ik-sep-shuh-nuh-lee] / ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nə li /

adverb

1. in a way or to a degree that is unusual or extraordinary; extremely.

   The combination of an exceptionally high tide and a devastating storm surge has wreaked havoc on coastal communities.

   In the photo, a young woman sits on the floor of a small shanty in an exceptionally impoverished neighborhood.

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Other Word Forms

• nonexceptionally
  adverb
• preexceptionally
  adverb
• quasi-exceptionally
  adverb
• superexceptionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of exceptionally

exceptional ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

A walk in the park is nice, but it’s exceptionally nice on a beautiful spring day when the weather is perfect, flowers are blooming, and birds are singing. Think of the word exceptionally as a magic wand that upgrades adjectives from ordinary to extraordinary. For example, a good day could just be a pleasant day when nothing bad happens, but an exceptionally good day would be closer to having the best day of your life. While exceptionally usually carries a positive meaning, it can also be used to describe something that is particularly unusual, like an exceptionally large shrimp.

Example Sentences

Exceptionally high king tides in 2019 likewise flooded large portions of the island for months, and by 2021 only six Key Largo tree cactus stems remained alive.

From Salon • Jul. 16, 2024

Exceptionally dry streamflow and soil moisture conditions became more frequent in many tropical and subtropical regions, while many boreal and temperate regions saw an increase in exceptionally wet conditions, especially in terms of soil moisture.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

“But the Clippers, they are really good. Exceptionally good when they’re shooting the 3-ball, and tonight they did that.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 25, 2023

"Exceptionally low" river flows and reservoir levels caused by weeks of dry weather will also not be replenished by this week's rainfall, the Environment Agency added.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2022

Exceptionally handsome, with his straight nose, dark hair, and gray eyes, it was hard to say who was receiving more admiration these days, Cedric or Viktor Krum.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• abnormally