different between distinguished vs exceptional

English

Etymology

• From distinguish +? -ed.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?s?t???w??t/
• Hyphenation: dis?tin?guished

Adjective

distinguished (comparative more distinguished, superlative most distinguished)

1. celebrated, well-known or eminent because of past achievements; prestigious

   The lecture was attended by many distinguished mathematicians.

2. Having a dignified appearance or demeanor

   Her father was a distinguished gentleman, albeit a poor one.

3. (mathematics) Specified, noted.

   Let X be a topological space with a distinguished point p.

Synonyms

• (celebrated): eminent, exceptional, remarkable; see also Thesaurus:famous or Thesaurus:notable
• (dignified appearance): grand, imposing
• (specified):

Antonyms

• mediocre

Translations

Verb

distinguished

1. simple past tense and past participle of distinguish

English

Etymology

exception +? -al

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?s?p??n?l/
• Hyphenation: ex?cep?tion?al

Adjective

exceptional (comparative more exceptional, superlative most exceptional)

1. Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare.

   What an exceptional flower!

2. Better than the average; superior due to exception or rarity.

   The quality of the beer was exceptional.

3. (geometry) Corresponding to something of lower dimension under a birational correspondence.

   an exceptional curve; an exceptional divisor

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:excellent
• egregious (most often used negatively, however)

Antonyms

• (forming an exception): ordinary, categorical, common, general, usual
• (superior due to exception or rarity): ordinary, mediocre, commonplace

Derived terms

• exceptional space
• exceptionally
• exceptionalism

Translations

Noun

exceptional (plural exceptionals)

1. An exception, or something having an exceptional value
   • 1909, Pediatrics (volume 21, page 276)

     Above and beyond all these exceptionals, by reason of divergencies from the norms of mental and of physical status, there are quite a number of moral defectives.