ausnahmsweise

Definition & meaning

ausnahmsweise means “by way of exception,” “exceptionally,” “for once,” or “as an exception.” It describes something that does not happen according to the usual rule or routine, but is allowed or happens in a special case.

Common uses:

• Making an exception to a rule: Ausnahmsweise darfst du… (“As an exception, you may…”)
• Something happening unusually: Er ist ausnahmsweise pünktlich. (“For once, he’s on time.”)

Grammar & Word origin

• Part of speech: adverb
• Formation: based on Ausnahme (“exception”) + the adverb-forming suffix -weise (“in a … way / …-wise”).
  Literally: “in an exception-way” → “exceptionally / as an exception.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms (German)

• ausnahmsbedingt↗ (due to exceptional circumstances)
• ausnahmsweise einmal↗ (for once, just this once)
• einmalig↗ (one-time; depending on context)

Antonyms (German)

• gewöhnlich↗ (usually)
• normalerweise↗ (normally)
• üblicherweise↗ (customarily)
• regelmäßig↗ (regularly)