exceptional [ik-sep-shuh-nl] SynonymsWord Origin 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)
- being intellectually gifted.
- being physically or especially mentally disabled to an extent that special schooling is required.
Origin of exceptional First recorded in 1840–50; exception + -al1 Related formsex·cep·tion·al·i·ty, nounex·cep·tion·al·ly, adverbex·cep·tion·al·ness, nounnon·ex·cep·tion·al, adjectivenon·ex·cep·tion·al·ly, adverbpre·ex·cep·tion·al, adjectivepre·ex·cep·tion·al·ly, adverbqua·si-ex·cep·tion·al, adjectivequa·si-ex·cep·tion·al·ly, adverbsu·per·ex·cep·tion·al, adjectivesu·per·ex·cep·tion·al·ly, adverbCan be confusedexceptionable exceptionalSynonyms for exceptional 1. uncommon, singular, strange, unnatural, aberrant, anomalous. See irregular.Antonyms for exceptional 2. average. Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 British Dictionary definitions for exceptionality exceptional adjective
- forming an exception; not ordinary
- having much more than average intelligence, ability, or skill
Derived Formsexceptionally, adverb Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for exceptionality exceptional
1846, from exception + -al (1). Related: exceptionally.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper