functioning

American  

[fuhngk-shuh-ning] / ˈfʌŋk ʃə nɪŋ /

adjective

1. performing a specified action or activity; working; operating.

   My son has only one functioning kidney.

2. (of a person with addiction or other illness or disability) able to cope with everyday life, as at home or at work: functioning diabetics.

   a functioning alcoholic with a successful career;

   functioning diabetics.

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Etymology

Origin of functioning

First recorded in 1835–40; in 1970–75 functioning for def. 2; function ( def. ) (in the sense “to perform an action”) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

While core elements like electricity and running water are functioning, lifts and toilets remain covered in plastic wraps and are scruffy in appearance.

From BBC

It said the drains were cleaned and functioning as expected and the issue had been passed to the Environment Agency to investigate.

From BBC

This allows clinicians to see how the smallest blood vessels are functioning long before serious complications emerge.

From Science Daily

“What stood out most to us was that being a caregiving grandparent seemed to matter more for cognitive functioning than how often grandparents provided care or what exactly they did with their grandchildren,” said Chereches.

From Science Daily

“Crime was completely out of control, and the department was functioning like a fire department. There wasn’t much proactive work going on because the police were kind of hated.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• functional
• working