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
And this was exceptional because not many teamsheets become news items.
—
Michael Walker, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
This year, executive chef Yoric Tièche was awarded the prestigious Gault&Millau d’Or for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, cementing Le Cap as one of the Côte d’Azur’s most exceptional dining venues.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
The result is exceptional playback stability that preserves the texture and dimensionality of the performance, elements that allow listeners to experience the full emotional spectrum of the original recording.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on TV sitcom stars and exceptional explorers.
—FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025
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Michael Walker, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
This year, executive chef Yoric Tièche was awarded the prestigious Gault&Millau d’Or for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, cementing Le Cap as one of the Côte d’Azur’s most exceptional dining venues.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
The result is exceptional playback stability that preserves the texture and dimensionality of the performance, elements that allow listeners to experience the full emotional spectrum of the original recording.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on TV sitcom stars and exceptional explorers.
—FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 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 3 Dec. 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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