exceptions

IPA/ɪkˈsep.ʃən/
KK[ɪksˈɛpʃənz]IPA/ɪkˈsep.ʃən/

exceptions — noun

  • exceptionssingular
  • exceptionsesplural

1. A person or thing that does not follow a general rule, pattern, or what is norma

1.nounB1
Definition

A person or thing that does not follow a general rule, pattern, or what is normally expected.

Example

Romi got the highest score in the class, which is the exception rather than the rule.

exception rather than the rule

There are a few exceptions to this rule, so please read the full list carefully.

exception + to [rule]

Common collocations
  • exception to the rule
  • make an exception
  • notable exception
  • rare exception
  • obvious exception
Synonyms
  • anomaly

    more formal; used for something scientifically or statistically unusual

  • outlier

    technical term from statistics; describes something far from the average

  • deviation

    suggests straying from a path, standard, or expected value

Antonyms
  • rule

    a rule is the standard; an exception breaks it

  • norm

    what is typical or expected

Grammar Patterns

exception + to + noun phrase

make an exception (for + noun phrase)

Usage Note

Countable in this sense. Frequently appears in the patterns 'exception to [rule]' and 'make an exception (for [someone/something])'. The opposite idea is 'rule' or 'norm'.

Common Mistakes

There is an exception of this rule.
There is an exception to this rule.
The correct preposition after 'exception' is 'to', not 'of'.
He is the exception of the team.
He is the only exception in the team.
Use 'in' for groups and 'to' for rules.

2. The act of leaving someone or something out, or a situation in which a person or

2.nounB1
Definition

The act of leaving someone or something out, or a situation in which a person or thing is deliberately not included.

Example

With the exception of Tamar, the whole team arrived on time for the morning meeting.

with the exception of + noun phrase

The local museum is open to visitors every day of the year, without exception.

without exception

Common collocations
  • with the exception of
  • without exception
  • no exceptions
  • make an exception
  • ask for an exception
Synonyms
  • exclusion

    directly synonymous; focuses on the act of leaving something out

  • omission

    suggests something was left out, possibly by accident rather than deliberately

Antonyms
  • inclusion

    the act of including someone or something

Grammar Patterns

with the exception of + noun phrase

without exception

no exceptions

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense. Commonly appears in the fixed prepositional phrase 'with the exception of' (meaning 'except') and in the adverbial phrase 'without exception' (meaning 'including everyone or everything').

Common Mistakes

With exception of John, everyone came.
With the exception of John, everyone came.
The definite article 'the' is required before 'exception' in this fixed phrase.
There is no any exception.
There are no exceptions.
'Any' is redundant with 'no' in this construction.

3. A feeling of anger or annoyance caused by something someone says or does; used i

3.nounB2
Definition

A feeling of anger or annoyance caused by something someone says or does; used in the set phrase 'take exception to something'.

Example

Wren took exception to her colleague's remark about the project timeline.

take exception to + noun phrase

The local residents took exception to the city's plan to build a factory near their homes.

Common collocations
  • take exception to
  • strong exception
  • take great exception to
Synonyms
  • objection

    similar in meaning but focuses on stating disagreement rather than feeling offended

  • protest

    stronger; often involves active or public opposition

  • resentment

    focuses on the emotional feeling rather than the act of objecting

Grammar Patterns

take exception + to + noun phrase

take exception + to + gerund

Usage Note

This sense only exists in the fixed phrase 'take exception to [something]', where 'exception' is uncountable and takes no article. The phrase cannot be used with other verbs (e.g. 'have exception to' or 'feel exception at') or in different grammatical patterns.

Common Mistakes

I took an exception to his comment.
I took exception to his comment.
No article before 'exception' in this fixed phrase.
She took exception on his behavior.
She took exception to his behavior.
The correct preposition is 'to', not 'on' or 'at'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Exception, anomaly, outlier, and deviation all describe something that differs from what is normal or expected. 'Exception' is the most common and general word; it suggests something that does not follow a rule or pattern but is still understandable ('an exception to the rule'). 'Anomaly' is more formal and often used in science, describing something unusual that is hard to explain ('a statistical anomaly in the data'). 'Outlier' is a technical term from statistics that has moved into general use; it refers to something far from the average ('an outlier in the test results'). 'Deviation' focuses on straying from a path, standard, or expected value ('a deviation from the original plan'). In everyday conversation, 'exception' is the best choice; 'anomaly' and 'outlier' belong in academic or analytical writing.

exception ↗anomaly ↗outlier ↗deviation ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'exceptio' (an exclusion or exception), based on 'excipere' (to take out), which combines 'ex-' (out) and 'capere' (to take). The word passed through Old French before entering English around the 14th century. The general meaning of 'something excluded from a rule' grew from the original legal meaning of a formal objection in court.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1