adjective

exceptional

ihk-SEHP-shuh-nuhl

adjective

Unusually good; far above average.

"Her exceptional talent for languages impressed the examiners."

Not typical; forming an exception to the usual pattern.

"These are exceptional circumstances, so the normal rules don't apply."

How to Use Exceptional

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither outstandingly good, or simply unusual/out of the ordinary.

Common pairings

exceptional circumstances exceptional talent truly exceptional

more exceptional comparative, exceptionals plural, most exceptional superlative

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Her _____ talent for languages impressed the examiners.

From exception + the adjective suffix -al.

egregious

ordinary categorical common general usual mediocre commonplace

standard absolute general conditional bad common beautiful bishop

coronal rational diagonal personal seasonal national optional regional hormonal fictional emotional irrational

egregious ordinary categorical common general usual mediocre commonplace standard absolute conditional bad