function

A2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ UK /ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #4033

Meanings

1

noun
What something is used for or what it does.

The function of an auger is to bore holes.
2

verb
To work or operate as intended.

The new heating system functions perfectly.
3

noun
A formal social event or ceremony.

The hotel is hosting a function for all the staff next week.
4

noun
A mathematical relation in which one value depends on another.

Height is a function of age.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · what something is used for... use purpose role

2 verb · to work or operate as... operate run work

3 noun · a formal social event or... occasionsocial occasion

Word family

Forms functionedfunctioningfunctionlessfunctions

Derived forms afunctionbifunctionbifunctionalbiofunctioncofunctioncryptofunctiondifunctionaldisfunctiondysfunctionendofunctionfunctionalfunctionalism

Related forms dysfunctiondysfunctionalfunctionalfunctorfungible

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

trigonometric function
a mathematical function connecting angles with ratios of lengths

Adjective + noun

Proverbs (1)

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Form follows function

Etymology

From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”).

*bʰewg- Proto-Indo-European function Middle French fonction Old French functiō Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Register & Style

External links

# function

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈfʌŋkʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 4033

## Meanings
1. What something is used for or what it does.
2. To work or operate as intended.
3. A formal social event or ceremony.
4. A mathematical relation in which one value depends on another.

## Examples
- The function of an auger is to bore holes.
- The new heating system functions perfectly.
- The hotel is hosting a function for all the staff next week.
- Height is a function of age.

## Derived Forms
- afunction
- bifunction
- bifunctional
- biofunction
- cofunction
- cryptofunction
- difunctional
- disfunction
- dysfunction
- endofunction
- functional
- functionalism

## Related Forms
- dysfunction
- dysfunctional
- functional
- functor
- fungible

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *bʰewg-
- Root: function
- Root: fonction
- Root: functiō

## Etymology
From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”).

## AI Etymology
Function comes from Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”). In current use, the main senses are “What something is used for or what it does” and “To work or operate as intended”.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Register & Style

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