exceptional

adjective

ex·​cep·​tion·​al ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: forming an exception : rare

an exceptional number of rainy days

2

: better than average : superior

exceptional skill

3

: deviating from the norm: such as

a

: having above or below average intelligence

b

: physically disabled

exceptionality

ik-ˌsep-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

exceptionalness noun

Synonyms

• aberrant
• aberrated
• abnormal
• anomalous
• atypical
• especial
• exceeding
• extraordinaire
• extraordinary
• freak
• odd
• peculiar
• phenomenal
• preternatural
• rare
• singular
• uncommon
• uncustomary
• unique
• unusual
• unwonted

Examples of exceptional in a Sentence

We're bending the rules for this exceptional situation.

an exceptional student in math

The seafood dishes at this restaurant are exceptional.

a separate school for exceptional children

Recent Examples on the Web

Its standout feature is its exceptional speed over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connections, providing quick file transfers, especially for large media files. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

But even by its own high standards, the latest season, which premiered on Netflix in September and is nearing its home stretch, has been exceptional. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

But this election is close, almost impossibly so, because of some of the ways (good and bad) in which the United States remains exceptional. —The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024

Denver was one of a handful of places where the number of new migrants commanded an exceptional and visible government response. —Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

exceptional

adjective

ex·​cep·​tion·​al ik-ˈsep-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: forming an exception : being unusual

an exceptional amount of rain

2

: better than average : superior

an exceptional student in math

exceptionally

-ē

adverb

exceptionalness noun