| English Dictionary |
EXCEPTIONAL
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Dictionary entry overview: What does exceptional mean?
• EXCEPTIONAL (adjective)
The adjective EXCEPTIONAL has 3 senses:
1. far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
2. surpassing what is common or usual or expected
3. deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used especially of children below normal in intelligence
Familiarity information: EXCEPTIONAL used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
Synonyms:
exceeding; exceptional; olympian; prodigious; surpassing
Context example:
the young Mozart's prodigious talents
Similar:
extraordinary (beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable)
Derivation:
exception (an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Surpassing what is common or usual or expected
Synonyms:
especial; exceptional; particular; special
Context example:
what's so special about the year 2000?
Similar:
uncommon (not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used especially of children below normal in intelligence
Context example:
special educational provisions for exceptional children
Similar:
abnormal (departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development)
Domain category:
psychological science; psychology (the science of mental life)
Context examples
“The two scenarios we are working on are a cooling of the surface due to exceptional stellar activity or dust ejection towards us,” says Montargès.
(ESO Telescope Sees Surface of Dim Betelgeuse, ESO)
“We knew that there had to be something exceptional going on in this system, and speculated that it may be related to some type of planetary remnant.”
(First Giant Planet around White Dwarf Found, ESO)
Solar eclipses are known to bring fresh starts, and this one comes packed with exceptional opportunities.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
They may be there, though for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptional purpose.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
This exceptional type of overlap is conserved in mouse and even in yeast RAD10, an ERCC1 homolog, suggesting an important biologic function.
(CD3-Epsilon-Associated Protein, NCI Thesaurus)
Research areas of exceptional promise in the cancer field.
(Extraordinary Opportunities for Investment, NCI Thesaurus)
I very much resent any interruption to my work, Dr. Watson, but this case is certainly exceptional.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is committed to providing patient-focused care in an environment devoted to innovative care, excellent service, and exceptional outcomes.
(Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, NCI Thesaurus)
Having no exceptional quality or ability.
(Fair, NCI Thesaurus)
I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite exceptional woman.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Those who lost dreaming are lost." (Aboriginal Australian proverbs)
"Silence is the sign of approval." (Arabic proverb)
"Hang a thief when he's young, and he'll no' steal when he's old." (Scottish proverb)