Exceptional

adj.capable, kindprofessional

What it means

Reaches a level of quality or ability far above what is normally expected.

Reach for it when giving unusually strong praise that is supported by clear evidence

Her exceptional patience helped five first-time speakers finish their presentations.

everyday
excellent
when very high quality deserves strong but conventional praise
not when Use exceptional only when the performance clearly stands apart from other excellent work.
warm
remarkable
when an achievement is worth noticing and talking about
not when Something remarkable may be unusual without being better, which exceptional often implies in praise.
warm
superb
when concise admiration for craftsmanship or performance is wanted
not when The flourish suits a review or card better than evidence-based language in a formal reference.
professional
gifted
when unusual natural ability is specifically being recognized
not when It credits talent and can erase practice; exceptional can praise the achieved result regardless of origin.
professional
outstanding
when achievement visibly rises above peers or requirements
not when It can sound like a formal rating and may be stiff in a personal card.
formal
distinguished
when a sustained record has earned public respect
not when A newcomer can do exceptional work without the career recognition implied by distinguished.
formal
exemplary
when excellence also provides a model others should imitate
not when A rare talent may be exceptional but impossible or inappropriate to copy.
formal
extraordinary
when the result lies strikingly outside ordinary experience
not when The dramatic scale is excessive for reliably superior but still familiar work.

exceptional skill
Her exceptional skill turned a damaged violin into a concert instrument again.
exceptional performance
The review cited his exceptional performance during the emergency migration.
exceptional person
An exceptional person, Mae combined high standards with generous teaching.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.