From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishexceptionalex‧cep‧tion‧al /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/ ●●○ adjective 1 UNUSUALGOOD/EXCELLENTunusually good SYN outstanding an exceptional student exceptional bravery► see thesaurus at good2 UNUSUALunusual and likely not to happen often This is an exceptional case; I’ve never seen anything like it before. Promotion in the first year is only given in exceptional circumstances.► see thesaurus at unusualCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: unusually goodexceptional + NOUNexceptional talent/ability/skillHe showed exceptional talent even as a youngster.exceptional qualityThis is a wine of exceptional quality.exceptional bravery/courageFire crews showed exceptional bravery.adverbsquite exceptional (=very exceptional)The level of effort involved is really quite exceptional.truly exceptional (=really or extremely exceptional)The film features a truly exceptional cast, including Oscar winner Denzel Washington.the most exceptional (=the best)George Best was one of the most exceptional footballers of all time. COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: unusual and likely not to happen oftennounsan exceptional caseIn the 1950s, some working class students went on to university, but these were exceptional cases.an exceptional eventIf an exceptional event occurs, such as the death of a family member, you can ask for the court case to be postponed.the exceptional nature of something (=the very unusual qualities or features that something has)In view of the exceptional nature of your crime, this court sentences you to a minimum of twenty years.adverbsmost exceptional (=very exceptional)A child will only be removed from the parental home in the most exceptional of cases.highly exceptional (=extremely exceptional)A loan of this size is highly exceptional.phrasesin exceptional circumstances (=when a situation is extremely unusual)The U.S. will only issue a visitor visa at short notice in exceptional circumstances.give somebody exceptional leave to do something formal (=give someone special permission to do something)Two of the asylum seekers were given exceptional leave to stay in Britain.
Examples from the Corpus
exceptional• When it comes to natural footballing ability, Gascoigne is exceptional.• A few of the top executives are women, but this is still exceptional.• He writes good essays, but I wouldn't say that his work is particularly exceptional.• It's one of the best examples of old English furniture I've seen -- it truly is exceptional.• Few citizens entered the survey service, and for a kulak to obtain the equivalent of Navy commissioned rank required exceptional ability.• Merits are given as an honour for exceptional achievement.• an exceptional athlete• Between the physical fear of going forward and the moral fear of turning back, there is a predicament of exceptional awkwardness.• I will admit, however, that brick ovens do make exceptional breads with great crust.• I will only say that proceedings should be brought before the court by way of appeal in contempt matters only in exceptional cases.• a class for exceptional children• Exit visas are only given in exceptional circumstances.• The flood victims are doing their best under exceptional circumstances.• The exceptional Cops is the exception to everything.• With a spectacular array of illustrations, the book captures that challenge, as well as commemorating the life of an exceptional man.• Graham Greene had exceptional talents as a story-teller.• It's snug, sexy and exceptional value for money at a basic Y1.07 million to Y1.331 million.in exceptional circumstances• I do claim that it is better than any of its predecessors in meeting exceptional need in exceptional circumstances.• It is well established that the court will only exercise its power to dismiss a case at this stage in exceptional circumstances.• Stays imposed on the grounds of delay or for any other reason should only be employed in exceptional circumstances.• Treatment can cost anything from a few hundred pounds to up to £15,000 in exceptional circumstances.• While assignment might be established in exceptional circumstances, at the very least the presumption must remain against it.• And in exceptional circumstances, microscopic intestinal parasites have survived to indicate some of the health problems that people suffered.• You do not have to be getting income support to apply and in exceptional circumstances they may be given for fuel costs.• Only in exceptional circumstances will struck-off doctors be able to apply for reinstatement, and then only after five years.From Longman Business Dictionaryexceptionalex‧cep‧tion‧al /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/ adjective1ACCOUNTING an exceptional cost etc is one that does not occur regularlya $34 million exceptional restructuring charge2very good, or much better than usualThe last decade produced exceptional returns on many kinds of investments. 