Exceptional means far above normal or ordinary, remarkably good or unusual. An exceptional student achieves results that stand out in their entire class. An exceptional athlete performs at a level that makes coaches and teammates take notice.

The word comes from “exception,” meaning something that doesn't fit the usual pattern. When a pianist gives an exceptional performance, they're playing so well that it's an exception to what audiences normally hear. When a scientist makes an exceptional discovery, they've found something beyond what everyday research typically reveals.

You might hear someone say a restaurant serves exceptional food, meaning it's significantly better than most restaurants. A teacher might write “exceptional work” on an essay that shows creativity and insight beyond what's typical for that grade level.

Notice that exceptional can describe both positive and negative things. Exceptional talent is wonderful, but you might also hear about exceptional difficulties or exceptional challenges, meaning problems more serious than usual. Most often, though, people use exceptional to highlight something impressively good. When someone calls your work exceptional, they're saying you've achieved something that truly stands apart from the ordinary.