functional

[ fuhngk-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a function or functions:

   functional difficulties in the administration.

2. capable of operating or functioning:

   When will the ventilating system be functional again?

3. having or serving a utilitarian purpose; capable of serving the purpose for which it was designed:

   functional architecture; a chair that is functional as well as decorative.

4. Also func·tion·al·is·tic []. (of a building or furnishing) constructed or made according to the principles of functionalism or primarily as a direct fulfillment of a material need.
5. Medicine/Medical. without a known organic cause or structural change: Compare organic ( def 5 ).

   a functional disorder.

6. pertaining to an algebraic operation:

   a functional symbol.

7. Linguistics. (of linguistic analysis, language teaching, etc.) concerned with the communicative role of language rather than, in addition to, or as the framework for its formal structure.

noun

1. Mathematics. a function that has a domain whose elements are functions, sets, or the like, and that assumes numerical values.

functional

/ ˈfʌŋkʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or containing a function or functions
2. practical rather than decorative; utilitarian

   functional architecture

3. capable of functioning; working
4. med affecting a function of an organ without structural change
5. psychol
   1. relating to the purpose or context of a behaviour
   2. denoting a psychosis such as schizophrenia assumed not to have a direct organic cause, like deterioration or poisoning of the brain Compare organic psychosis

noun

1. maths a function whose domain is a set of functions and whose range is a set of functions or a set of numbers

Derived Forms

• ˈfunctionally, adverb

Other Words From

• func·tion·al·i·ty [fuhngk-sh, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• func·tion·al·ly adverb
• hy·per·func·tion·al adjective
• hy·per·func·tion·al·ly adverb
• mul·ti·func·tion·al adjective
• non·func·tion·al adjective
• non·func·tion·al·ly adverb
• pre·func·tion·al adjective
• sem·i·func·tion·al adjective
• sem·i·func·tion·al·ly adverb
• sub·func·tion·al adjective
• sub·func·tion·al·ly adverb
• su·per·func·tion·al adjective
• un·func·tion·al adjective
• un·func·tion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of functional¹

First recorded in 1625–35; function + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"They start to transcribe from different sites, potentially contributing to their functional divergence."

From Science Daily

While these symptoms do not constitute a disorder diagnosed as psychosis, they can still be disruptive, distressing or detrimental to functional capacity.

From Science Daily

Mr Dujarric said access to the three barely functional hospitals there also remained severely restricted, amid what he called "desperate shortages" of medical supplies and fuel.

From BBC

This process enhances functional and evolutionary diversity, both crucial for building resilient ecosystems capable of withstanding climate change.

From Science Daily

This process of automatization could be essential for helping patients regain functional abilities more effectively.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• practical
• useful
• utilitarian