ex ‧ cep ‧ tion S3 W2 /ɪkˈsepʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
1 . something or someone that is not included in a general statement or does not follow a rule or pattern:
It’s been cold, but today’s an exception.
with the exception of somebody/something
We all laughed, with the exception of Maggie.
without exception
Each plant, without exception, contains some kind of salt.
notable/important/significant exception
With one or two notable exceptions, there are few women conductors.
minor/major exception
With a few minor exceptions, the new edition is much like the previous one.
The law applies to all EU countries; Britain is no exception.
We don’t usually accept checks, but for you we’ll make an exception (=not include you in this rule) .
The spelling of this word is an interesting exception to the rule.
Successful two-career couples are still the exception, not the rule (=used to emphasize that something is unusual) .
2 . somebody/something is the exception that proves the rule spoken used to say that the fact that something is not true or does not exist in one situation emphasizes the fact that it is true or exists in general:
Most people here are very dedicated; I’m afraid Rhea’s the exception that proves the rule.
3 . take exception to something to be angry or upset because of something:
Tom took great exception to my remark about Americans.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ an important/significant exception
The treaty was ratified by all the EU member countries, with one significant exception, Britain.
▪ a major exception (=very important)
The major exception to the general downturn, the tourism sector, has actually seen an increase in profits.
▪ a notable exception (=one that is very interesting, excellent or unusual)
The houses along the river are all relatively modern, with the notable exception of the old forge.
▪ an obvious exception
The earliest historical records, with the obvious exception of Chinese, are written in Indo-European languages.
▪ a conspicuous exception (=one that is very easy to notice)
With one conspicuous exception, Ayers Rock, the desert landscape is completely flat.
▪ a minor exception (=not important)
Everyone was in agreement, with a few minor exceptions.
▪ a single/sole exception (=one on its own)
All the men were killed, with the sole exception of Captain Jones.
▪ a rare exception
Books on philosophy can be quite dull, but this is a rare exception.
■ phrases
▪ with the exception of
The journey was fairly straightforward, with the exception of driving through London.
▪ without exception
Without exception, all the children were well behaved and polite.
▪ be no exception
The river floods every winter, and this year was no exception.
▪ be the exception to the rule ( also be the exception that proves the rule ) (=be different to most other people or things)
Most of the boys were quite shy, but Larry was the exception to the rule.
▪ be the exception, not the rule (=used to emphasize that something is unusual)
Staying married for life seems to be the exception, not the rule these days.
■ verbs
▪ make an exception (=deal with someone or something in a different way from usual on a particular occasion)
We usually require a 10% deposit, but I'll make an exception in this case.