-shən ə l, -shnəl adjective
1. : forming an exception ; usually : being out of the ordinary : uncommon , rare
they made an exceptional group
there have been an exceptional number of rainy days this year
2. : better than the average : superior
his exceptional skill
this is an exceptional opportunity
3. of a child : requiring special educational or psychological aid in social adjustment whether because of superior ability or because of physical or mental defect
• ex·cep·tion·al·i·ty ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷shəˈnaləd.ē noun -es
• ex·cep·tion·al·ly ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷shən ə l]ē, -shnəl]ē, ]i adverb
• ex·cep·tion·al·ness - ə lnə̇s, -əl-\ noun -es