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

Also, share your vision with your team so your customer experiences exceptional service — not just from a few, but from all. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024

When Pertinax abandoned a career as a teacher and joined the army, frontier wars had hollowed out the ranks, allowing his exceptional talent to catch his superiors’ attention. —Jeffrey E. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024

What is fun and somewhat exceptional about these watches is their unisex appeal. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2024

JPMorgan JPMorgan strategist Mislav Matejka maintained his strong preference for U.S. equities over European stocks, despite their already exceptional relative performance. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 18 Dec. 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