exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl 
2
: better than average : superior
exceptional skill
3
: deviating from the norm: such as
a
: having above or below average intelligence
b
: physically disabled
exceptionalness
noun
Examples of exceptional in a Sentence
We're bending the rules for this exceptional situation.
an exceptional student in math
The seafood dishes at this restaurant are exceptional.
a separate school for exceptional children
Recent Examples on the Web
These were clothes to covet now and to cherish forever, combining exceptional workmanship with a sense of ease and refinement.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Inevitably, some frustration will linger that they were undone at Anfield by an exceptional goal from Dominik Szoboszlai.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
She was honored with the CBC Body Award, which recognizes an individual for their exceptional work in promoting policies and creating opportunities that support the empowerment of the Black community.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2025
The award is given to establishments that receive a high volume of exceptional reviews and ratings from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
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Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Inevitably, some frustration will linger that they were undone at Anfield by an exceptional goal from Dominik Szoboszlai.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
She was honored with the CBC Body Award, which recognizes an individual for their exceptional work in promoting policies and creating opportunities that support the empowerment of the Black community.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2025
The award is given to establishments that receive a high volume of exceptional reviews and ratings from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Cite this Entry
“Exceptional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptional. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exceptional
adjective
ex·cep·tion·al
ik-ˈsep-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
1
: forming an exception : being unusual
an exceptional amount of rain
2
: better than average : superior
an exceptional student in math
exceptionally
adverb
-ē
exceptionalness
noun
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