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

So asked UC Berkeley art historian Svetlana Alpers in a savvy 1977 essay, a question posed early in an exceptional 60-year career.

From Los Angeles Times

"By chemically reinforcing the protective layers, we've significantly advanced the durability of these cells without compromising their exceptional efficiency, bringing us closer to a practical, low-cost alternative to silicon-based photovoltaics."

From Science Daily

Yet even proponents of the blue zone concept concede that some of the regions may no longer be exceptional.

From Science Magazine

Even in the very first blue zone, in eastern Sardinia, some municipalities no longer show exceptional longevity, Pes says, although others not included in the original survey do.

From Science Magazine

The panelists are not in agreement about the overall quality of the year’s slate, though: “It was a thin year for exceptional animation but not for profitable animation,” says Tim Cogshell.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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