Excepcionalmente

Excepcionalmente is a Spanish adverb that means de manera excepcional or muy extraordinariamente. It is used to indicate that something occurs to an unusual, remarkable, or superior degree, and can modify verbs or adjectives in both informal and formal contexts. For example, exceptionalemente bien describes a very high level of quality or performance, while exceptionalemente difícil signals unusual difficulty.

Etymology and form: Excepcionalmente is formed from the adjective excepcional (exceptional) plus the adverbial suffix -mente. The adjective itself comes from Latin exceptionalis, derived from excepto (exception) and related terms. The adverbial form is standard in Spanish to express manner or degree.

Usage notes: The word tends to carry a formal or emphatic tone and is common in written language, journalism, and academic or technical writing. It is interchangeable with phrases like de forma excepcional or extremadamente in many contexts, though each offers a slightly different shade of meaning. It often appears before the adjective or the verb it modifies: “excepcionalmente rápido,” “rendió excepcionalmente bien.” While not rare, some speakers prefer simpler constructions such as “muy” or “extremadamente” in everyday speech.

Examples: El equipo rindió excepcionalmente bien. La temperatura fue excepcionalmente alta para la temporada. La decisión resultó excepcionalmente difícil de explicar.

See also: Excepcional, Excepción, Excepcionalidad. In Portuguese, the cognate excepcionalmente shares the same meaning and usage.