exceptional
/ik'sepʃənl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Unusually good; outstanding; much better than average: Used to describe something or someone that is extraordinarily good, superior, or excellent in quality or ability.
- Not typical; unusual; deviating from the norm: Used to describe something that is an exception to the general rule, often because it is rare or uncommon.
Usage
- Describing Superior Quality or Ability: When something or someone is far above the ordinary standard.
- She showed exceptional talent in mathematics from a young age.
- The restaurant is known for its exceptional service.
- Describing Something Unusual or Atypical: When something is rare, uncommon, or does not follow the usual pattern.
- This warm weather is exceptional for January.
- He requires exceptional care due to his medical condition.
Examples
- As an adjective:
- The team's performance was exceptional; they deserved to win the championship.
- We are looking for candidates with exceptional leadership skills.
- An event of exceptional importance requires careful planning.
- It takes exceptional courage to speak out in that situation.
Advanced Usage
- "Exceptional to": (Less common) Used to indicate something is an exception to a rule or statement.
- This rule applies to everyone, exceptional to no one.
- In formal/legal contexts: Refers to circumstances that are extraordinary or outside the normal course of events.
- The judge granted an exceptional pardon due to the unique circumstances.
Variants and Related Words
- Exceptionally (adverb): To an unusual degree; extremely.
- She is an exceptionally fast learner.
- Exception (noun): A case that does not follow a rule or generalization.
- Most students passed the test, with one notable exception.
Synonyms
- Outstanding: Very good; standing out from others.
- Extraordinary: Very unusual or remarkable.
- Phenomenal: Very remarkable; extraordinary.
- Unusual: Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.
- Rare: Not occurring very often.
Antonyms
- Average: Typical or normal.
- Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
- Common: Occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
- Usual: Habitually or typically occurring or done.
Idioms and Phrases
- The exception that proves the rule: A saying meaning that an exception to a rule serves to confirm that the rule exists.
- He's usually very punctual, so his being late today is the exception that proves the rule.
- Make an exception: To allow a rule not to be followed in a particular case.
- We don't usually allow pets, but we'll make an exception for your guide dog.
Adjective
- deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used especially of children below normal in intelligence
- special educational provisions for exceptional children
- surpassing what is common or usual or expected
- he paid especial attention to her
- exceptional kindness
- a matter of particular and unusual importance
- a special occasion
- a special reason to confide in her
- what's so special about the year 2000?
- far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
- a night of exceeding darkness
- an exceptional memory
- olympian efforts to save the city from bankruptcy
- the young Mozart's prodigious talents