The adj exceptional has 3 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (3) exceeding, exceptional, olympian, prodigious, surpassing -- (far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree; "a night of exceeding darkness"; "an exceptional memory"; "olympian efforts to save the city from bankruptcy"; "the young Mozart's prodigious talents")
2. (2) especial, exceptional, particular, special -- (surpassing what is common or usual or expected; "he paid especial attention to her"; "exceptional kindness"; "a matter of particular and unusual importance"; "a special occasion"; "a special reason to confide in her"; "what's so special about the year 2000?")
3. exceptional -- (deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used especially of children below normal in intelligence; "special educational provisions for exceptional children")