exceptional

exceptional — adjective

1. far above the usual standard, especially in skill, quality, or performance — so

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

far above the usual standard, especially in skill, quality, or performance — so much better than most others that it draws special notice or praise.

Example

Putri's performance in the piano competition was exceptional, earning her a standing ovation.

evaluating performance: was exceptional

The restaurant received an exceptional review from the food critic for its creative dishes.

Common collocations
  • exceptional talent
  • exceptional ability
  • exceptional quality
  • exceptional performance
  • exceptional achievement
  • truly exceptional
  • absolutely exceptional
Synonyms
  • outstanding

    slightly less formal than exceptional; very common in report cards and reviews

  • remarkable

    emphasizes that something is surprising or worthy of attention

  • extraordinary

    stronger than exceptional; suggests something goes well beyond even the exceptional

  • phenomenal

    informal and emphatic; often used for numbers, growth, or popular success

Antonyms
  • mediocre

    of only average or below-average quality — the opposite of standing out

  • ordinary

    not special or different in any way

Usage Note

Almost always positive. This sense is most common in evaluative contexts such as education, performance reviews, and criticism of art or food. It implies a level far above 'very good' — use it only when something genuinely stands out from the crowd.

Common Mistakes

She is an exceptionally student.
She is an exceptional student.
'exceptionally' is an adverb; after an article you need the adjective form.

2. very different from what is usual or expected; happening or existing only in rar

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

very different from what is usual or expected; happening or existing only in rare or special situations — not following the normal pattern.

Example

The school runs a special program for students with exceptional needs.

collocation: exceptional needs (special educational needs)

Baraka's case was exceptional, so the committee made an exception to the usual rules.

Common collocations
  • exceptional circumstances
  • exceptional case
  • exceptional needs
  • exceptional measure
  • exceptional leave
Synonyms
  • unusual

    milder and less formal; describes anything out of the ordinary

  • rare

    emphasizes low frequency of occurrence

  • atypical

    more technical; common in academic, medical, and statistical contexts

Antonyms
  • typical

    conforming to the expected pattern

  • normal

    usual, standard, or expected

  • ordinary

    not special; what you would normally expect

Usage Note

Neutral in tone — this sense does not mean 'good' or 'bad,' only that something differs from the norm. Common in formal, legal, and administrative language (exceptional leave, exceptional circumstances, exceptional case). Distinguish from sense 1 (OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD): 'an exceptional student' could be a brilliant student, but 'a student with exceptional needs' is a student who needs special educational support.

Common Mistakes

The weather is exceptional today — it is warm and sunny.' (implies positive evaluation, but this sense is neutral).
The weather is exceptional for December
it has never snowed this late in the season.' — sense 2 describes what is unusual, not what is good.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These words all describe something that stands apart from the ordinary, but with different emphases. Outstanding is the closest match to exceptional and is common in report-card language ('outstanding achievement'); it suggests something rises clearly above the crowd. Remarkable adds an element of surprise — something that makes you stop and take notice. Extraordinary is stronger, describing something so far from the norm that it feels almost unbelievable ('extraordinary dedication'). Phenomenal is the most informal and dramatic, often used for numbers or popular success ('phenomenal sales growth'). Singular is formal and literary, pointing to something one-of-a-kind ('a singular talent'). Unique strictly means 'the only one of its kind' — careful writers avoid using it as a synonym for 'very good.' For example: 'Van Gogh's style was singular and immediately recognisable'; 'her exam results were outstanding, but not extraordinary for a student of her calibre.'

outstanding ↗remarkable ↗extraordinary ↗phenomenal ↗singular ↗unique ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • truly exceptional
  • absolutely exceptional
  • really exceptional

Phrases

  • by way of exception
  • with the exception of

Prepositions

  • exceptional in (e.g. exceptional in quality, exceptional in nature)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'exceptionem' (a taking out, exclusion), formed from 'ex-' (out) + 'capere' (to take). The word entered English via Old French 'exception' in the 14th century, originally carrying the legal sense of 'an objection.' The adjective 'exceptional' appeared in the mid-19th century with the meaning 'forming an exception' — something taken out of the general rule — which gradually developed two branches: one neutral (deviating from the norm) and one positive (so far above the norm that it constitutes an exception to the usual standard).