dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

variants or less commonly disfunction

1

: impaired or abnormal functioning

gastrointestinal dysfunction

2

: abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group

family dysfunction

Examples of dysfunction in a Sentence

The disease causes gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other scientists argue that vascular dysfunction hinders the brain’s ability to clear amyloid and injures neurons through other routes. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

So, with the Knicks off to a 1-3 start, did Dolan doom their title defense with all this dysfunction? — Dan Woike, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

This is why Congress predominantly engages in no-compromise, one-party legislating, which produces dysfunction and gridlock. — Dan Lipinski, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

The departure is a sign of continuing dysfunction at the CDC, said Yolanda Jacobs, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, which represents many CDC workers, in a statement. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dys- + function entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dysfunction

• erectile dysfunction
• minimal brain dysfunction
• temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Rhymes for dysfunction

• adjunction
• compunction
• conjunction
• disjunction
• injunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• function
• junction
• unction
• heterojunction

Kids Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning

liver dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion

variants also disfunction

(ˈ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning (as of an organ of the body)

dysfunctional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

dysfunctioning

-shə-niŋ 

noun