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
This compact security camera offers exceptional value and robust features in a tiny design.
—
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Her detention was exceptional, immigration attorneys said, because it was caught on camera.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, the exceptional cinematic short from Love, Death and Robots’ Alberto Mielgo has a 49K to 2.3K ratio.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The former Tar Heel demonstrates exceptional burst and often requires multiple defenders to take him down.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exceptional
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Her detention was exceptional, immigration attorneys said, because it was caught on camera.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, the exceptional cinematic short from Love, Death and Robots’ Alberto Mielgo has a 49K to 2.3K ratio.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The former Tar Heel demonstrates exceptional burst and often requires multiple defenders to take him down.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share