exceptional
ihk-SEHP-shuh-nuhl
Exceptional (adjective) means Unusually good; far above average. Example: “The restaurant is known for its exceptional service and friendly staff.”
adjective
1
Unusually good; far above average.
"The restaurant is known for its exceptional service and friendly staff."
"He showed exceptional courage when he helped the lost children find their parents."
"Her exceptional talent for languages impressed the examiners."
2
Not typical; forming an exception to the usual pattern.
"Snow in this town in July would be an exceptional event."
"The school only accepts late homework in exceptional cases, such as illness."
"What an exceptional meal!"
"These are exceptional circumstances, so the normal rules don't apply."
How to use exceptional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither outstandingly good, or simply unusual/out of the ordinary.
Common pairings
exceptional circumstances
exceptional talent
truly exceptional
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Word forms
- Plural
- exceptionals
- Comparative
- more exceptional
- Superlative
- most exceptional
Fill the gap
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The restaurant is known for its _____ service and friendly staff.
Etymology
From exception + the adjective suffix -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for exceptional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for exceptional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “exceptional” mean?
The word “exceptional” means unusually good; far above average. In plain terms, either outstandingly good, or simply unusual/out of the ordinary.
How do you pronounce “exceptional”?
“Exceptional” is pronounced ihk-SEHP-shuh-nuhl (/ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “exceptional” in a sentence?
Here is “exceptional” used in a sentence: “Her exceptional talent for languages impressed the examiners.”
What is another word for “exceptional”?
Words with a similar meaning to “exceptional” include egregious.
What is the opposite of “exceptional”?
The opposite of “exceptional” — its antonyms — are ordinary, categorical, common, general and usual.
What part of speech is “exceptional”?
“Exceptional” is an adjective.
Is “exceptional” a common word?
“Exceptional” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “exceptional” have?
“Exceptional” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unusually good; far above average.
Does exceptional mean good or just unusual?
It has both senses. Most often it means unusually good — far above average, as in "an exceptional student" — but in formal or technical contexts it simply means not typical, forming an exception to the usual pattern. Context normally makes clear which sense is intended.
What is the difference between exceptional and excellent?
Excellent means extremely good, while exceptional suggests something so far above average that it stands out as a rarity. Exceptional also has a neutral second sense, "not typical," which excellent does not share.
What is the difference between exceptional and exceptionable?
The two look similar but differ sharply in meaning. Exceptional means far above average or not typical, while exceptionable is a formal word meaning open to objection — something one could take exception to. Using exceptionable when exceptional is meant is a well-known usage error.
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