exceptional

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary:

   The warm weather was exceptional for January.

   Synonyms: anomalous, aberrant, unnatural, strange, singular, uncommon

2. unusually excellent; superior:

   an exceptional violinist.

   Antonyms: ordinary, average

3. Education. (of a child)
   1. being intellectually gifted.
   2. being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.

exceptional

/ ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• exˈceptionally, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·cep·tion·al·i·ty [ik-sep-sh, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• ex·cep·tion·al·ly adverb
• ex·cep·tion·al·ness noun
• non·ex·cep·tion·al adjective
• pre·ex·cep·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-ex·cep·tion·al adjective
• su·per·ex·cep·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exceptional¹

First recorded in 1840–50; exception + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See irregular.

Example Sentences

The results also revealed £24.1m worth of "exceptional costs", some of which relates to the break-in at the Moreton plant, which was shut down last year.

From BBC

But people can also try to convince a court a ban would result in exceptional hardship, which could lead to being allowed to drive despite having wracked up 12 points or more.

From BBC

Putt launched a review, which has concluded that "there are exceptional grounds in which an award won in competition should be reviewed and possibly rescinded".

From BBC

As firefighters increase containment against Ventura County’s devastating Mountain fire, new access to burned areas has revealed even more damage from the blaze that exploded last week during an exceptional wind event.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our focus continues to be on ensuring Grindr remains an exceptional place for our team to work, and an invaluable resource for the global LGBTQ+ community.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• extraordinary
• notable
• noteworthy
• odd
• phenomenal
• rare
• remarkable
• singular
• special
• strange
• uncommon
• unheard-of
• unique
• unprecedented
• unusual