Synonyms: especial, exceptional, special, particular
Definition: surpassing what is common or usual or expected
Usage: 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?
Similar words: uncommon
Definition: not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
Usage: uncommon birds; frost and floods are uncommon during these months; doing an uncommon amount of business; an uncommon liking for money; he owed his greatest debt to his mother's uncommon character and ability
Synonyms: exceptional
Definition: deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used especially of children below normal in intelligence
Usage: special educational provisions for exceptional children
Similar words: abnormal
Definition: departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development
Usage: they were heartbroken when they learned their child was abnormal; an abnormal personality
Synonyms: exceeding, exceptional, prodigious, surpassing, olympian
Definition: far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
Usage: a night of exceeding darkness; an exceptional memory; olympian efforts to save the city from bankruptcy; the young Mozart's prodigious talents
Similar words: extraordinary
Definition: beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
Usage: extraordinary authority; an extraordinary achievement; her extraordinary beauty; enjoyed extraordinary popularity; an extraordinary capacity for work; an extraordinary session of the legislature