functional

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈfʌŋkt͡ʃənəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #12922

Meanings

1

adj
Working properly; in good working order.

The toaster was still functional even after being dropped.
2

adj
Designed to be useful and practical rather than decorative.

That sculpture is also functional: it can be used as a hat rack.
3

adj
Designed or suited for a particular purpose or use.

She writes in a plain style where every word is functional.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · working properly; in good... usable

More functioning operational up utilitarian working

Opposites

dysfunctionalnon-functionalnonfunctionalorganicunfunctional

Word family

Forms functionallyfunctionals

Derived forms afunctionalamphifunctionalanatomofunctionalantifunctionalbifunctionalbiofunctionalbiofunctionalizationcofunctionalecofunctionaleigenfunctionalequifunctionaleufunctional

Related forms function functionary

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

functional anatomy
the study of body structures in relation to the jobs they perform

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From function + -al.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# functional

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈfʌŋkt͡ʃənəl/
**Frequency rank:** 12922

## Meanings
1. Working properly; in good working order.
2. Designed to be useful and practical rather than decorative.
3. Designed or suited for a particular purpose or use.

## Examples
- The toaster was still functional even after being dropped.
- That sculpture is also functional: it can be used as a hat rack.
- She writes in a plain style where every word is functional.

## Synonyms
- functioning
- operational
- up
- utilitarian
- working

## Antonyms
- dysfunctional
- non-functional
- nonfunctional
- organic
- unfunctional

## Derived Forms
- afunctional
- amphifunctional
- anatomofunctional
- antifunctional
- bifunctional
- biofunctional
- biofunctionalization
- cofunctional
- ecofunctional
- eigenfunctional
- equifunctional
- eufunctional

## Related Forms
- function
- functionary

## Etymology
From function + -al.

## AI Etymology
Functional comes from function + -al. In current use, the main senses are “Working properly; in good working order” and “Designed to be useful and practical rather than decorative”.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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