exceptional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'exceptional' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unusual and beyond what is normal or expected. Example sentence: She completed the task with exceptional efficiency.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard.

The Guardian

Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in Prey, Chris Lunt's tense, gut-wrenching drama about John Simm's cop going on the run after his family is slaughtered, she was just exceptional.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Display account manager We are seeking an exceptional display account manager with substantial agency sales experience within the digital media environment to join our Sydney team Developer - casual We are looking for an experienced developer to join our studio team in Sydney on a casual basis for a period of 2 months.

The Guardian

Last week a report from an all-party parliamentary group called for detention to be limited to 28 days and used only in exceptional circumstances.

The Guardian

Both awards were in recognition of the exceptional retail trade marketing over the past year and rewards the strategy of working closely with retail partners to develop sale.

The Guardian

The six-to-one ruling in the Hutchinson case says the justice secretary does clearly have a power to release whole-life prisoners in exceptional circumstances making the law sufficient to comply with article three, which bans inhuman or degrading treatment.

The Guardian

"While the government of Yemen appreciates foreign governments' concern for the safety of their citizens, the evacuation of embassy staff serves the interests of extremists and undermines exceptional co-operation between Yemen and the international alliance against terrorism.

The Guardian

Born with cerebral palsy, Freney has demonstrated exceptional courage and spirit, and has also become involved in the broader community, working as a motivation speaker for Swimming Australia.

The Guardian

Maillot's personal drive, in tandem with the princess's support, has made Monaco an exceptional home for dancers, as well as a destination for audiences, who come from as far as Marseilles and Milan.

The Guardian

We're sitting in the garden of the family home on a Sunday afternoon, with Marr's exceptional recovery a testament to his dogged resilience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure "exceptional" accurately conveys the intended meaning, as it implies rarity and superiority.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptional" too frequently, as this can dilute its impact. Save it for situations where something truly stands out.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "exceptional" primarily functions as a descriptor, modifying nouns to indicate something is far beyond the ordinary or average. As Ludwig AI highlights, its uses span diverse contexts to describe outstanding qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "exceptional" is a powerful descriptor used to convey that something is notably above average or possesses outstanding qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its versatile usage across diverse contexts, from news media to formal business settings. While "exceptional" is commonly used, it is important to consider alternative phrases like "remarkable" or "extraordinary" to avoid overuse and maintain impact. Always ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of rarity and superiority. The most authoritative sources, as analyzed, frequently employ the term in precise and meaningful ways, underscoring its value in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extraordinary

Emphasizes how unusual and beyond the ordinary something is, often implying amazement.

Outstanding

Stresses the prominence and superiority of something, suggesting it stands out from the rest.

Remarkable

Highlights the noteworthiness and impressiveness of something, emphasizing its distinction.

Unparalleled

Focuses on the lack of precedent or comparison for something, indicating its groundbreaking nature.

Unique

Focuses on the unparalleled and distinct nature of something, indicating there's nothing else quite like it.

Incomparable

Suggests that something is so good or unique that it cannot be compared to anything else.

Matchless

Implies that something is so superior that it has no equal.

Uncommon

Indicates that something is not frequently encountered, highlighting its rarity.

Peerless

Similar to matchless, suggesting that something is without peer in terms of quality or skill.

Singular

Points to the unique and distinctive nature of something, setting it apart from others.

FAQs

How to use "exceptional" in a sentence?

"Exceptional" is an adjective used to describe something that is unusually good or outstanding. For example, "She demonstrated "exceptional talent" in her field".

What can I say instead of "exceptional"?

You can use alternatives like "remarkable", "outstanding", or "extraordinary" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exceptional" or "exceptionable"?

"Exceptional" means unusually good, while "exceptionable" means objectionable or likely to cause objection. They have opposite meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "exceptional" and "special"?

"Exceptional" implies a higher degree of quality or rarity compared to "special". "Special" simply means distinct or different from the norm, while "exceptional" suggests superiority.