exception

A person, thing, or situation that does not follow a general rule or fit a usual pattern.

• Most children enjoyed the game, but Tom was an exception.
• Can you make an exception for me?
• There are several exceptions to this rule.

How to use it: an exception to something (This bird is an exception to the usual pattern.); make an exception for someone/something (We made an exception for a guest who arrived late.)

Similar words: outlier

Common phrases: an exception, rare exception, make an exception

The act of leaving someone or something out of a group, rule, or statement.

• All the rooms are clean, without exception.
• With the exception of Sundays, the shop opens daily.
• The rules apply to everyone without exception.

How to use it: with the exception of someone/something (Everyone arrived on time, with the exception of Leo.); without exception (Every application, without exception, must include a photograph.)

Similar words: exclusion

Opposites: inclusion

Common phrases: with the exception, without exception, exception of something

An event, often an error, that interrupts a computer program and needs special handling.

• The program raised an exception.
• This code catches the exception and displays a message.
• An unhandled exception caused the application to stop.

Common phrases: throw an exception, catch an exception, unhandled exception