Exceptional Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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exceptional
[ɪkˈsɛpʃ(ə)n(ə)l ]
Definitions
in a positive way
Unusually good; outstanding. Exceptional is used to describe something that is much better than average.
Synonyms
excellent, extraordinary, outstanding, remarkable, superb.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| exceptional |
Used to describe someone or something far above the usual in quality. Often implies rarity or uniqueness.
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| outstanding |
Used to indicate someone or something that stands out significantly from the rest, often due to excellence in a particular area.
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| extraordinary |
Used to describe something very unusual or remarkable, often astonishing.
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| remarkable |
Used to highlight something surprising or worthy of attention due to its notable quality.
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| superb |
Used to describe something that is of the highest possible quality or extremely good.
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| excellent |
Used to indicate very high quality, especially in terms of performance or results.
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Examples of usage
- His performance in the exam was exceptional, he scored the highest marks in the class.
- The service at this restaurant is exceptional, I have never experienced such attention to detail before.
in a negative way
Unusually bad; unacceptable. Exceptional is used to describe something that is much worse than average.
Synonyms
abysmal, appalling, atrocious, horrendous, unacceptable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| exceptional |
Used to describe something extremely good or outstanding, often better than expected.
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| unacceptable |
Used for something not satisfactory or not allowed, indicating it does not meet standards or expectations.
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| abysmal |
Used to describe something extremely bad or of very low quality.
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| atrocious |
Used for something extremely evil, cruel, or brutal, often worse than 'appalling'.
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| appalling |
Used when something is shockingly bad or horrifying, often causing disgust or fear.
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| horrendous |
Used to describe something extremely unpleasant, horrifying, or terrible.
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Examples of usage
- The company's behavior towards its employees was exceptional, leading to a high turnover rate.
- Her attitude towards her colleagues was exceptional, creating a toxic work environment.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Education
- In educational contexts, 'exceptional' often describes students who show outstanding abilities or talents, such as gifted or talented programs.
- Exceptional students sometimes require specialized teaching strategies to meet their unique learning needs.
Psychology
- Research shows that individuals with exceptional skills often exhibit high levels of motivation and engagement in their areas of expertise.
- Exceptional performances can stem from both inherent talent and deliberate practice, debunking the myth that talent alone is sufficient.
Pop Culture
- 'Exceptional' individuals are often celebrated in media, with stories highlighting unique talents, like movie characters or athletes who break records.
- The term is sometimes used in music, referring to artists whose work differs from mainstream trends, earning them a dedicated following.
Business
- In the business world, an exceptional team is one that performs above expectations and achieves remarkable results.
- Companies often seek exceptional talent to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in their industries.
Origin of 'exceptional'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'excipere', meaning 'to take out', which relates to being taken out from the ordinary.
- In Middle English, the term evolved to refer to individuals or things that were set apart or excluded from the normal group.
The word 'exceptional' originated from the Latin word 'exceptionalis', which means 'forming an exception or rare instance'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-17th century. Over time, 'exceptional' has come to be associated with something that stands out from the norm, either in a positive or negative way.
See also: except, exception, exceptionality.