Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary
ex·cep·tion·al adj.
Pronunciation: ik-'sep-shnəl, -shə-nəl
Function: adjective
Date: 1787
1 : forming an exception : RARE <an exceptional number of rainy days>
2 : better than average : SUPERIOR <exceptional skill>
3 : deviating from the norm: as a : having above or below average intelligence b : physically disabled
–ex·cep·tion·al·i·ty \-ˌsep-shə-'na-lə-tē\ noun
–ex·cep·tion·al·ness noun
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's Dictionary 5th Edition
ex|cep|tion|al /ɪks'epʃənəl/
1 [ADJ]
You use exceptional to describe someone or something that has a particular quality, usually a good quality, to an unusually high degree.
...children with exceptional ability...
His translation is exceptional in its poetic quality.
= extraordinary
● exceptionally [ADV] ADV adj/adv
He's an exceptionally talented dancer...
= extremely
2 [ADJ]
Exceptional situations and incidents are unusual and only likely to happen very infrequently. (FORMAL)
School governors have the discretion to allow parents to withdraw pupils in exceptional circumstances.
= unusual
● exceptionally [ADV] ADV with cl
Exceptionally, in times of emergency, we may send a team of experts...