'exceptional' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'exceptionalis,' where 'ex-' meant 'out of' and 'capere' meant 'to take.'

'exceptionalis' transformed into the French word 'exceptionnel,' and eventually became the modern English word 'exceptional' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to take out or exclude,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'unusually good or not typical.'