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 functionalistic (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.

   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

Other Word Forms

• functionality noun
• functionally adverb
• hyperfunctional adjective
• hyperfunctionally adverb
• multifunctional adjective
• nonfunctional adjective
• nonfunctionally adverb
• prefunctional adjective
• semifunctional adjective
• semifunctionally adverb
• subfunctional adjective
• subfunctionally adverb
• superfunctional adjective
• unfunctional adjective
• unfunctionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of functional¹

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

Example Sentences

"It's the government IT project equivalent of ordering a renovation, discovering the contractor has made your house less functional, and then learning they charged you for a mansion."

Read more on BBC

There is good reason why the Crosstrek is near the top of the heap of the brand’s bestsellers: It is a serious value, uncomplicated in its operation, impressively functional, and yet, quite comfortable.

Read more on MarketWatch

The office is expected to become fully functional next year, with its impact reflected in the budget for the fiscal year starting from April 2027, according to Katayama.

Read more on Barron's

She noted that the findings build on earlier work showing that microglia can adopt a wide range of functional states, allowing them to play many different roles in brain health.

Read more on Science Daily

Coffees made with extra ingredients like mushrooms, protein and collagen are known as "functional coffees" - which aim to provide consumers with benefits beyond the typical caffeine boost.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• practical 
• useful 
• utilitarian