exceptional

[ ik-sep-shuh-nl ]
/ ɪkˈsɛp ʃə nl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR exceptional ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary: The warm weather was exceptional for January.
unusually excellent; superior: an exceptional violinist.
Education. (of a child)
  1. being intellectually gifted.
  2. being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.

Origin of exceptional

First recorded in 1840–50; exception + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM exceptional

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH exceptional

exceptionable exceptional

Words nearby exceptional

except for, excepting, exception, exception proves the rule, the, exceptionable, exceptional, exceptionalism, exceptive, excerpt, excerpta, excess

Words related to exceptional

unusual, rare, remarkable, singular, phenomenal, noteworthy, notable, unheard-of, uncommon, extraordinary, strange, unique, odd, unprecedented, special, superior, good, outstanding, marvelous, first-rate

Example sentences from the Web for exceptional

British Dictionary definitions for exceptional

exceptional
/ (ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of exceptional

exceptionally, adverb