exceptional
exceptional Lexical Profile
exceptional Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Unusually good; outstanding or superior in quality, ability, or degree.
"The young violinist demonstrated exceptional talent during her debut recital."
Unusual or not typical; forming an exception to a general rule or pattern.
"Late-stage applications will only be considered under exceptional circumstances."
North American Having physical, intellectual, or behavioral characteristics that differ significantly from the norm, such as being gifted or having a learning disability, and therefore requiring specialized educational services.
"The school district expanded its resources and curriculum for exceptional learners."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'exceptional' with 'exceptionable'; 'exceptional' means unusually good or rare, whereas 'exceptionable' means open to objection or offensive.
• Rhymes for exceptional
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-19th century from the noun 'exception' plus the suffix '-al', ultimately tracing back to the Latin verb 'excipere', meaning 'to take out'.