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Unusual vs Exceptional - What's the difference?

unusual | exceptional | Related terms |

Exceptional is a synonym of unusual.



As adjectives the difference between unusual and exceptional

is that unusual is unlike what is expected; differing in some way from the norm while exceptional is forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare.

unusual

English

Alternative forms

* unusuall (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Unlike what is expected; differing in some way from the norm.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town. I was completely mystified at such an unusual proceeding.}}
  • Not usual.

    • Synonyms

    * (different from the expected) abnormal, rare, strange, weird, (stronger) extraordinary ** See also

    Antonyms

    * (different from the expected) normal, usual

    exceptional

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare.
    • What an exceptional flower!
  • Better than the average; superior due to rarity.
    • The quality of the beer was exceptional.
  • Corresponding to something of lower dimension under a birational correspondence.
    • an exceptional''' curve; an '''exceptional divisor

    Synonyms

    * See also * (l)

    Antonyms

    * categorical

    Derived terms

    * exceptional space * exceptionally