exceptional
Americanadjective
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forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary.
The warm weather was exceptional for January.
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unusually excellent; superior.
an exceptional violinist.
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Education. (of a child)
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being intellectually gifted.
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being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.
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adjective
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forming an exception; not ordinary
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having much more than average intelligence, ability, or skill
Synonym Usage
See irregular.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exceptional
Explanation
Generally, exceptional is a compliment––"the concert was exceptional" means it was better than what could have been expected. But it can also just mean unusual. "Maria gets to skip gym, but hers is an exceptional case." Exceptional begins with the Latin prefix ex- 'out,' because something exceptional stands out in some way. In certain cases, exceptional can mean under-performing. Children with special educational needs are sometimes referred to in this way, as exceptional or special.
Vocabulary lists containing exceptional
Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
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Between the World and Me
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Because of Mr. Terupt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But there was no earthquake, exceptional rainfall or sudden period of extreme heat immediately before the collapse, experts said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Temperatures are even more exceptional below the surface of the Pacific - in places more than 8C above average.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Any number above 50% means business is growing, and readings above 55% are exceptional.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026
“The guide really represents the exceptional demand profile that we’re seeing across both segments.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
While his thirteen-year-old daughter Kelly, an exceptional young athlete, swam measured laps, his eleven-year-old son Burt kept flipping gracefully off the diving board.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
